Punjab Kings have made an exceptional start to their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign under captain Shreyas Iyer. The unbeaten run has brought with it a sense of joy and unity in the dressing room, despite challenges on the field.
A heartwarming interaction unfolded on X when PBKS leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal jumped into the comments section of an impromptu fan interaction hosted by co-owner Preity Zinta.
The exchange began with Chahal making a humorous request, asking to be considered as an opener in one of the remaining matches this season.
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“Ma’am, if I can get a chance to open the batting in one of the matches (Mam ek match mein open batting karne ka chance mil jaaye toh),” he wrote on X.
This is not the first time Chahal has chimed into social media conversations with his trademark humour, even as he has endured a mixed start to the season with the ball. What followed next stole the spotlight, as Zinta responded in equally witty fashion. She jokingly offered him a chance to open after the season ends—provided the current openers, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, don’t mind sharing their spot.
“For sure Yuzi. Anything for you. IPL khatam hone do, uske baad whichever match you like. I’m sure Prabh & Priyansh won’t mind then,” Zinta replied.
Chahal, the IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker, was a high-profile acquisition for PBKS ahead of the season, bought for INR 18 crore. However, he has had a shaky start, conceding at an economy rate above 9.5 and picking up just four wickets in seven matches so far. Despite that, he remains a key bowler for the Iyer-led side, with his experience expected to be crucial as the tournament progresses.
Meanwhile, PBKS’s opening pair of Arya and Prabhsimran have been in superb form, delivering consistent performances in the powerplay and putting opponents under pressure early. The duo have played a major role in the team’s unbeaten run, including their recent performance against Delhi Capitals, where PBKS pulled off the highest successful chase in IPL history.
Both batters are also in contention for the Orange Cap this season, with Prabhsimran scoring 287 runs and Arya adding 254 in just six innings, both striking at close to 200.
While Chahal’s ambition to open remains firmly in jest, the exchange highlights his playful personality and how he is settling into a new franchise. His experience and composure with the ball could still prove vital in the latter stages of the tournament.