IPL 2026: Yuzvendra Chahal scripts unwanted record thanks to Punjab Kings’ butter fingers
Punjab Kings’ poor fielding left Yuzvendra Chahal frustrated during their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad as dropped catches denied him crucial wickets. Shashank Singh dropped Heinrich Klaasen, while Lockie Ferguson spilled Ishan Kishan, both off Chahal’s bowling. PBKS have now dropped six catches off Chahal this season, the most for any bowler in IPL 2026, hurting Punjab badly on a batting-friendly Hyderabad pitch.
NEW DELHI: Yuzvendra Chahal could only stare in disbelief as another catch went down in the deep. Punjab Kings may have entered their crucial clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad with playoff ambitions, but their fielding effort threatened to undo all plans in a matter of overs. The numbers make the story even uglier for Punjab Kings.
Six catches have now been dropped off Chahal’s bowling this season — the highest for any bowler in IPL 2026. Shashank Singh alone has already dropped four catches this year, the second-most by any fielder after Mumbai Indians’ Naman Dhir. On flat surfaces like Hyderabad, bowlers survive on half-chances and moments of brilliance from fielders.
Chahal created those opportunities repeatedly. Punjab Kings simply failed to hold on when it mattered most. On a batting-friendly Hyderabad surface where every opportunity matters, PBKS simply could not afford butter fingers — yet that is exactly what unfolded around Chahal.
The leg-spinner has quietly been one of Punjab’s most important wicket-taking options this season, but his frustration reached another level on Wednesday night. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan both survived despite gifting chances off Chahal’s bowling, leaving the spinner visibly shattered in the middle. The first blow came when Heinrich Klaasen top-edged a sweep straight towards Shashank Singh at deep backward square-leg.