Yuzvendra Chahal has eased concerns surrounding Shreyas Iyer after the Punjab Kings skipper picked up a hand injury during their IPL 2026 clash against the Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur. The incident occurred during Punjab’s run chase when Iyer was struck on the wrist at the non-striker’s end, prompting immediate attention from the team physio.

For a brief moment, there was visible concern in the dugout as Iyer looked in discomfort. However, showing typical grit, he continued to bat before eventually being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna for a quickfire 18 off 11 balls, including two sixes.

Reassuring fans after the match, Yuzvendra Chahal confirmed that the injury was not serious. “He’s fine, he’s absolutely fine. Nothing is there,” he said, putting to rest any fears of a potential setback for Punjab Kings early in the tournament.

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Chahal, who played a key role in the three-wicket win with figures of 2/28, also reserved special praise for Cooper Connolly, the standout performer of the night. Making his IPL debut, the young Australian delivered a composed and impactful 72 off 44 balls at No. 3, guiding PBKS through a tricky chase of 163.

Highlighting Connolly’s maturity, Yuzvendra  Chahal said, “If you come in your first match and handle a situation like that, it shows how mature you are. He knew he had to stay till the end and finish the game.”

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He further added that the youngster’s temperament and awareness could make him one of the standout discoveries of IPL 2026. With momentum on their side after a strong start, Punjab Kings will now turn their attention to their next fixture against Chennai Super Kings on April 3, aiming to build on their early success.