"I've stopped drinking": Yuzvendra Chahal makes shocking lifestyle revelation ahead of IPL 2026
Published - 18 Mar 2026, 10:26 PM | Updated - 18 Mar 2026, 11:35 PM
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Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has opened up about the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) loss against his former side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in the 2025 edition. The spinner identified the reason for their loss in the final against RCB.
Yuzi Chahal stated that things would have been different if South Africa pacer Marco Jansen was in the team in the final. The Proteas pacer had to return to South Africa and was unavailable due to the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.
In the final, we missed Jansen- Yuzvendra Chahal
Chahal discussed the IPL 2025 final on AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel ahead of RCB’s opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). PBKS qualified for the final after more than a decade; however, their search for a maiden IPL title continues.
Yuzvendra Chahal said, "In the final, we missed Jansen as he was not there. If he was there, we would have definitely won the championship. The way he bowled throughout the tournament was brilliant, and batting too, he was capable of hitting two to three sixes in the end. We are even more confident now because of the way he is bowling. It's not going to be easy for the opposition openers."
Chahal also opened up about his poor performance in the IPL after he returned from the rib injury. He said, "I was a bit disappointed with myself. After the KKR game, I had a rib fracture, and later, my knuckle got fractured. So in the semifinal and final, I wasn't able to bowl my proper leg-spin. This year, I want to take care of my body first."
I've stopped drinking alcohol- Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal also stated that he is eager to enhance his quality as a senior player and his level of fitness. He claims that one of the more significant benefits he has been seeing in his body after staying away from alcohol.
"I've stopped drinking alcohol, and it's been more than six months. I am now 35, so I want to be more active and give my 150% for my team. As a senior player, I want people in the IPL to learn something from me."
Yuzvendra Chahal to give PBKS their first title
Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler in IPL history, with 221 wickets in 172 matches since 2013. He is also leading the chart with the number of wickets taken in the competition. He has been recognised for courage and attacking bowling ability even in smaller grounds like M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he has played the most matches of his IPL career.
The IPL is set to begin from March 28, with RCB taking on SRH in the opening day at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. All the teams have joined their respective camps for the training sessions ahead of the tournament.
The IPL committee and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced the first 20 matches of the toughest T20 league in the world due to the Assembly Election.
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