In a high-octane Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal turned the tide with a breathtaking hat-trick in the penultimate over. His triple strike not only stalled CSK’s late charge but also brought Punjab roaring back into contention as the yellow brigade was restricted to 190 in their 20 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal dismantles the lower order of CSK with a hat-trick
With CSK eying a total beyond 200, Shreyas Iyer tossed the ball to his ace spinner in the 19th over, a move that would ultimately define the innings. Though Chahal had earlier leaked runs in his first two overs, he made an emphatic comeback by dismissing three batters in as many deliveries:
- Deepak Hooda – Attempted a lofted stroke after collecting a couple of runs, but miscued it straight to Priyansh Arya at backward point.
- Anshul Kamboj – Fresh to the crease, the youngster was completely foxed by a quicker, skiddy delivery that breached his defenses and sent the off-stump cartwheeling.
- Noor Ahmad – With just one legal ball faced, the left-hander went for an ambitious slog and perished, caught in the deep.
With these three wickets, Chahal joined an elite club by bagging his second IPL hat-trick, a rare feat for any spinner, especially in pressure-cooker death overs at a venue like Chepauk.
𝙒.𝙒.𝙒 🤯
First hat-trick of the season 😍
Second hat-trick of his IPL career 🫡Yuzvendra Chahal is his name 😎
Updates ▶ https://t.co/eXWTTv8v6L #TATAIPL | #CSKvPBKS | @yuzi_chahal pic.twitter.com/4xyaX3pJLX
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2025
Also READ: Is MS Dhoni playing his last IPL? CSK skipper surprises Danny Morrison with a witty on-field response
Tactical masterstroke by Shreyas Iyer: Holding Chahal back for the death
It wasn’t smooth sailing for Chahal earlier in the innings. The leg-spinner was taken apart by Sam Curran, who launched a flurry of attacking shots on the leg side. Curran’s intent was clear, to unsettle Chahal’s rhythm early. Dewald Brevis also capitalized, smashing him for a clean six straight down the ground.
But PBKS captain Shreyas’ calculated risk to hold Chahal’s final two overs for the backend was rooted in match-ups. Veteran MS Dhoni, known to struggle slightly against quality wrist-spin in recent seasons, was still at the crease. Iyer banked on Chahal’s experience, guile, and temperament. The gamble paid off spectacularly.
On the first ball of the 19th over, Dhoni danced down and cleared the ropes over long-on. But Chahal kept his cool, tossed the next delivery higher, and induced a miscue from Dhoni that found the fielder at long-off. That dismissal broke CSK’s spine and opened the floodgates for the hat-trick. Chahal finished with figures of 4/32 in 3 overs, a return that doesn’t reflect the sheer value of the timing and impact of his wickets. His spell ensured CSK, who were cruising at one stage, lost momentum in the final overs , adding just 12 runs for the loss of 4 wickets after the 18th over.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Hattrick Mubarak @yuzi_chahal
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 30, 2025
Always thinking, always fighting, always difficult to play. Yuzvendra chahal is a ipl hero. Congrats for 2nd ipl hat-trick. #CSKvsPBKS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 30, 2025
Chahal reminding time & time again that why he is the best Indian spinner IPL has ever had. Beauty.
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) April 30, 2025
HAT-TRICK HERO CHATUR CHALAK CHAHAL 😭❤️ take a bow you champion !!!!! pic.twitter.com/pcIFxE9S8r
— Aarushi (@Aarushijoshii) April 30, 2025
Chahal went from 2.1-30-0 to 3-32-4
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) April 30, 2025
RCB blood chahal owning CSK at Chepauk, not surprised at all!! pic.twitter.com/ujI7yWVzaM
— Kevin (@imkevin149) April 30, 2025
HAT-TRICK!
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) April 30, 2025
Chahal keeps writing his own scripts man!!
— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) April 30, 2025
Iyer must trust Yuzi Chahal to bowl 4 overs per game. Even if he goes for runs in first 2 overs he normally makes a comeback in next 2 overs. Underrated bowler.
— Anurag™ (@Samsoncentral) April 30, 2025
Deepak Hooda |/
Anshul Kamboj |/
Noor Ahmad |/#YuzvendraChahal #IPL2025 #CSKvPBKS #cricket pic.twitter.com/1ZcHm0zrnj— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 30, 2025
Also READ: IPL 2025: Here’s why Glenn Maxwell is not playing today’s match for Punjab Kings against CSK
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