Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal faces backlash over a viral smoking and littering video amid an underwhelming IPL 2026 performance.
Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been caught in a fresh controversy on the road during IPL 2026. The India spinner, who has taken three wickets so far in the Indian Premier League at an expensive economy rate of 8.20 and a strike rate of 20.00, was caught smoking on the road.
In a viral video doing the rounds on social media, Yuzvendra Chahal was seen smoking while driving his luxurious sports car. He was also seen throwing the cigarette butt onto the road while driving. He was in the car alongside a friend, who was seated beside him.
The video has attracted significant attention on social media, with fans calling out the cricketer for public littering and habits that could be injurious to athletes, particularly smoking. Interestingly, this video emerged just days after the cricketer shared that he had given up consuming alcohol over six months ago. Watch the viral clip below:
Chahal’s performance in IPL 2026 so far has been below par. In the opening clash against Gujarat Titans, he took two wickets while conceding 28 runs.
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Chahal’s Unimpressive Recent Bouts
The Chennai Super Kings clash was also decent, with him picking up one wicket for 21 runs. However, he struggled in the Sunrisers Hyderabad clash on April 11, where he conceded 33 runs from his three overs without taking a wicket, at an economy rate of 11.00.
Before the IPL, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, Chahal’s form was not very impressive. He was expensive, with an economy rate of 9.91, and took only four wickets from three innings.
Nevertheless, the PBKS bowler will look to move past the controversy with improved bowling performances, as Punjab Kings prepare for their next clash against Mumbai Indians on April 16 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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