Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Yuzvendra Chahal to bounce back strongly and prove his mettle in IPL 2026. Chahal is currently out of favor from the Indian team and was recently seen doing commentary stints.

The leg-spinner scalped 16 wickets in 14 matches in IPL 2025 at an average of 26.87 and an economy rate of 9.55. Chahal has all the experience under his belt and has snared 221 wickets in 174 IPL matches at an average of 22.71 and an economy rate of 7.96. The Haryana spinner is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Last year wasn’t a great season for him, but I think he found a way in the back half of the tournament. I feel this year could well be the one where he starts bouncing back and shows his worth as a wicket-taker for Punjab.

“If he is able to get enough rest, good recovery, and proper practice, I have no doubt that he will return to his wicket-taking best. Definitely, it has been a testing time for him as a cricketer, and I hope he truly bounces back,” he added.

Ashwin highlighted that Chahal should not focus on muscle building ahead of IPL 2026.

“He has always been like this. I haven’t seen him put on even one inch or one centimeter of weight. He’s always fit. That’s just how he is. Sometimes he starts focusing on muscle building, and that is my only source of concern. But I have seen some good news. I was reading somewhere that he has turned a new leaf. It’s all for the good.”

Punjab Kings will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Gujarat Titans at Mullanpur on 31st March.