Out front of IPL 2026, Yuzvendra Chahal, main spin force for Punjab Kings, shared how daily habits have shifted to match tournament demands. Despite topping all bowlers in league history by dismissals, he now focuses harder on body strength and mental sharpness after last year’s intense run ended with defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final. Though numbers speak loud, effort behind scenes grows quieter, deeper. Each morning begins not with plans but small choices – sleep first, food slow, movement steady. Evenings trade noise for stillness, screens dimmed early. Recovery isn’t tracked by data but felt through breath held longer, steps lighter. Bowling stays sharp because rest comes before hunger. Mindset shifts came not from speeches but silence between deliveries replayed at dusk. Fitness logs stay blank; progress shows up in shoulders that loosen instead of locking under pressure. Tournament prep feels less like buildup, more like return – to rhythm, repetition, routine. What once seemed urgent now waits. What stayed constant – wickets falling – masks what changed most: pace off the pitch mirrors life slowing down.
From six months past, Chahal stopped drinking – told AB de Villiers it felt right. His form matters more now, focus sharper since the change. Example-setting wasn’t planned, just happened along the way. Performance could speak louder this season, maybe even lift a trophy. Thirteen years without an IPL win weighs, yet effort feels different now. The field holds new purpose, actions replacing old habits.
“I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, and it’s been more than six months. I am now 35, so I want to be more active and give my 150% for my team. As a senior player, I want people in the IPL to learn something from me,” Chahal told De Villiers.
Chahal on Jansen impact in loss to RCB
Even so, Punjab reached last season’s final on a strong run yet ended up just behind RCB, falling by six runs. That finish meant once more no IPL trophy for the team, despite nearly getting there – frustration showed among the squad. Chahal brought up Marco Jansen missing as vital, underlining how much he had shaped their campaign whenever present.
Missing Jansen in the final made a difference since he wasn’t around. Had he played, victory in the title match would have been certain. His bowling during the event stood out, while his bat often delivered late fireworks – two or three big hits when needed most. Confidence has grown thanks to how sharply he’s performing now with the ball. Facing him upfront will test any opening pair, that much is clear.
Early departure by Jansen meant he left for South Africa’s World Test Championship prep, missing Punjab’s big match. Because of that absence, their bowling felt thinner when it mattered most. Facing them, the rivals built up to 190 runs – a score that tipped the balance. During those high-pressure games, Chahal admitted something too: his body wasn’t fully ready. Fitness levels were lower than ideal, just before the knockouts began.
He admitted feeling let down by his own performance. Following the KKR match, a broken rib slowed him down. Then came another setback – damage to his finger joint. Because of those injuries, spinning deliveries lost their usual edge during crucial matches. Bowling didn’t feel right when it mattered most. Taking time to heal feels more important now than pushing through pain. His focus this season shifts toward staying fit before anything else.
