In a surprising tactical move during Monday's IPL 2026 clash, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer opted not to use star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal at all, despite including him in the starting lineup. The decision raised eyebrows as PBKS suffered their fourth consecutive loss, falling to Delhi Capitals by a narrow margin.

Punjab Kings had a dream start to the season, going unbeaten in their first seven matches. But their form has taken a sudden nosedive, and they entered this match desperate to snap a three-game losing streak and reclaim the top spot on the league table. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan.

PBKS got off to a flying start thanks to a brilliant half-century from opener Priyansh Arya. After the openers departed, the innings slowed slightly, but Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 50 helped them post a competitive 210 runs on the board.

Delhi Capitals found themselves in early trouble, losing three top-order wickets in quick succession during the powerplay. However, Axar Patel played a captain's knock in the middle overs, forming crucial partnerships with Tristan Stubbs and David Miller to steady the ship. Late cameos from Ashutosh Sharma and Madhav Tiwary ensured DC crossed the line, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

The most puzzling aspect of PBKS's defense came from Iyer's bowling choices. He used only five bowlers—all fast or medium-fast—despite some of them leaking runs. Marcus Stoinis was given three overs despite conceding 44 runs and taking just one wicket. Meanwhile, Chahal, one of the IPL's most successful spinners, remained unused throughout the innings.

So why did Iyer keep Chahal in the dugout? The answer lies in matchups. Chahal's record against left-handed batters in the IPL has been notably poor, and DC's middle order featured several dangerous left-handers. With Axar Patel, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs all capable of taking him down, Iyer likely felt the risk was too high.

Interestingly, DC captain Axar Patel made a similar decision in the first innings, opting not to bowl himself and instead relying on four pacers and a medium-pace option against PBKS.

For PBKS fans and fantasy cricket enthusiasts, this tactical gamble backfired. With Chahal's experience and wicket-taking ability, many believe he could have made the difference in a tight finish. As the playoff race heats up, PBKS will need to rethink their strategies—and fast.