Veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been out of the Indian national team for two years but is toast of the cricketing world after a stellar IPL show for Punjab Kings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 34-year-old returned an IPL best of 4-28 Tuesday as Punjab defended the tournament's lowest-ever total of 111 to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in a thriller.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chahal -- IPL's leading bowler with 211 wickets in 166 matches -- was bought for a whopping $2.13 million by Punjab in the November auction but had ordinary outings this season prior to the match-winning spell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Punjab were bowled out for 111 in 15.3 overs at Mullanpur, Chahal came into his own to rattle Kolkata who were cruising at 62-2 in their chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"In the last game I conceded 56 for four overs, but I had full confidence and backed myself and my abilities," Chahal said after being named player of the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I always have the mindset of how to get the batters out, I varied my pace and if they have to hit, they will have to make an effort."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chahal struck with two key wickets including opposition skipper Ajinkaya Rahane, trapped lbw for 17 with a googly that outfoxed the Indian batsman.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chahal struck again with two in two balls, with the visitors bowled out for 95 in 15.1 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Terrific stuff. He bowled beautifully," former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull said on Indian website Cricbuzz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He is just a clever, clever bowler. He is too good a bowler to go for that many games without some performance that turns a game for you and he has done it tonight."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chahal was once a white-ball stalwart for India and his partnership with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav helped the national team to many victories.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He slowly fell out of favour and played his last international against West Indies in August 2023, though he has since played a spell in county cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chahal and spin partner Rob Keogh took 17 wickets between them for Northamptonshire in their first win of the season against Derbyshire at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We call him magician. He has got a bag of tricks," Keogh said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n