In a high-octane Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kingsleg-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.

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 Curranwho 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 Donaknown 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.

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