Mukund flags Punjab's tactical miss: Chahal should have bowled overs 7-15 vs Delhi
Synopsis
Punjab Kings' refusal to bowl Yuzvendra Chahal proved costly as Delhi Capitals chased 210 in Dharamsala. Abhinav Mukund argues the leg-spinner should have been introduced between overs 7-15, especially when Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs were rebuilding. With scoreboard pressure on their side, Punjab had the luxury to risk 18-20 runs for a potential breakthrough—a tactical window they squandered.
Key Takeaways
Abhinav Mukund criticised Punjab Kings for not bowling Yuzvendra Chahal in their IPL 2026 loss to Delhi Capitals on 12 May .
Chahal should have been introduced during overs 7 to 15 , particularly when Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs were rebuilding, Mukund argued.
Delhi Capitals chased down 210 to win by three wickets with six balls remaining, the highest successful chase in Dharamsala IPL history.
Axar Patel scored 56 and David Miller added 51 in the successful chase.
Mukund noted Punjab had the scoreboard advantage to absorb even 18-20 runs in exchange for a potential breakthrough.
Former India batter Abhinav Mukund has criticised Punjab Kings' bowling strategy in their IPL 2026 loss to Delhi Capitals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on 12 May, arguing that leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal should have been introduced during the middle overs despite not bowling a single delivery in the match. Delhi Capitals chased down 210 to win by three wickets with six balls remaining, recording the highest successful IPL chase in Dharamsala history.
The bowling puzzle
Punjab's decision to avoid spin entirely, despite having the experienced Chahal in their squad, emerged as a key talking point. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo's Time Out Show, Mukund outlined when and why Chahal should have been deployed. "You've got to bowl him in overs 7 to 15, and in conditions like this, when you've got Miller and Axar going, it's very difficult for a captain to hand him the ball," Mukund said, before adding that the ideal window was overs 7 to 10, before Delhi's experienced finishers took control.
The scoreboard advantage
Mukund emphasised that Punjab held a strong enough position to absorb some risk. "I would've personally got out at least an over of Chahal to just see what was happening," he explained. "When you had the scoreboard pressure, and you had the luxury of giving away even 18 or 20 runs, if need be, at that point, but try and take the gamble to pick up a wicket." He suggested that overs 7 to 10 represented the critical window before Delhi's middle order seized momentum.
How the match unfolded
Despite reducing Delhi Capitals to 38 for 3 inside five overs, Punjab Kings could not sustain the early breakthrough. Axar Patel scored 56 and David Miller added 51 to rebuild the innings. Debutant Madhav Tiwari then played a fearless cameo of 18 off eight balls to seal the chase, highlighting how Delhi's lower order capitalised on the absence of spin variety.
The insurance option
Mukund also noted that Punjab had Marcus Stoinis available as a backup option had Chahal's spell not yielded results. This, he argued, made the decision to exclude spin even more puzzling given the strength of the chase and the need for a breakthrough in the middle phase.
Point of View
They had every advantage — scoreboard pressure, a strong bowling attack, and the margin to afford a few expensive runs. Yet they abandoned spin when it mattered most. This is the paradox of modern IPL captaincy: teams hoard their best bowlers like insurance policies, then wonder why they never get to cash them in. Chahal's non-appearance wasn't a selection error; it was a strategic abdication.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Punjab Kings not bowl Yuzvendra Chahal against Delhi Capitals?
Punjab Kings chose not to bowl Chahal despite having him in their squad, a decision that drew criticism from Abhinav Mukund. The exact reasoning from the team has not been publicly stated, but Mukund argued it was a tactical miscalculation given the match situation and the need for a breakthrough during the middle overs.
When should Chahal have been introduced according to Mukund?
Mukund advocated for Chahal to be introduced between overs 7 and 15, with the ideal window being overs 7 to 10, when Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs were rebuilding Delhi's innings. This was before the experienced finishers took control of the chase.
What was the final result of the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match?
Delhi Capitals successfully chased down Punjab Kings' total of 210, winning by three wickets with six balls remaining. It was the highest successful IPL chase in Dharamsala history.
Who were the key batters in Delhi Capitals' chase?
Axar Patel scored 56 runs and David Miller contributed 51. Debutant Madhav Tiwari also played a crucial cameo of 18 off eight balls to help seal the chase.
What advantage did Punjab Kings have early in the match?
Punjab reduced Delhi Capitals to 38 for 3 inside five overs, giving them an early breakthrough advantage. However, they failed to capitalise on this position as Delhi's middle order recovered through Axar Patel and Miller's partnership.
