Punjab Kings (PBKS) remain on top of the points table but suffered their second defeat in IPL 2026 on May 4, against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Instead of spinner batsmen, in this match, the seamers enjoyed their time in this match.
PBKS, which has top batsmen like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer himself, balanced against the pace department of the Gujarat Titans. Surprisingly, during the run chase, Iyer did not utilize Yuzvendra Chahal’s full quota of 4 overs, raising questions.
Shreyas Iyer is considered one of the best skippers in IPL history
Former Team India cricketer, now cricket pundit and commentator, Mohammad Kaif, suggests that Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings maintain their faith in experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in any challenging circumstances.
Shreyas Iyer is considered one of the best captains in the history of the Indian Premier League for his important stints with the Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and now the Punjab Kings. He is known for making brave decisions to change the momentum of a match.
PBKS suffered a defeat against GT
May 4, 2026 was not one of the best days in office for Iyer. On the challenging pitch, Gujarat Titans surpassed the target of 164 in 19.5 overs and won the match by 4 wickets. The batting departments of both sides had to work hard to accumulate runs on the track where the pacers were gaining pace.
Yuzvendra Chahal, one of the best spinners in the league, was allowed only one over. Chahal leaked 13 runs in that single and was never called upon to bowl another in the rest of the innings, which greatly surprised Mohammad Kaif.
“I am surprised to see the biggest wicket-taker in IPL history, Yuzvendra Chahal, taking just one against GT. Remember, he has 228 IPL wickets, of which 139 came in the Chinnaswamy flat during his 8 years with RCB,” Kaif wrote in his X post.
Kaif’s suggestion to Shreyas Iyer on Yuzvendra Chahal
Pacers like Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Holder for Gujarat Titans and for PBKS, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Marco Jansen got the crucial wickets in the match, clearly indicating the authority of the fast bowlers.
It could be due to the nature of the surface. Shreyas Iyer did not want to do any more experiments with his experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and continued to rely on the seamers. But still, valuing Yuzvendra Chahal’s experience and his wicket-taking ability, Kaif believes PBKS needed to rely on him even in difficult circumstances.
“Okay, the pitch had grass but Chahal is an IPL great; he could have found ways to get wickets. Punjab needs to trust him more,” he further added.
I am surprised to see Yuzi Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, bowling just one against GT. Remember he has 228 IPL wickets of which 139 came in the Chinnaswamy flat during his 8 years with RCB. Ok, the pitch had grass, but Chahal is an IPL great who could have…
—Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 3, 2026
Despite the defeat, Punjab Kings remain at the top of the points table and Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans also remain in contention for the play-offs.
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