Yuzvendra Chahal’s signing by Punjab Kings (PBKS) was one of the highlights of the IPL 2025 mega-auction last November. The wrist-spinner, who didn’t feature in Rajasthan Royals’ list of retained players, entered into the auction ring with a base price of INR 2 Crore.

Chahal was expected to attract several IPL franchises and that’s exactly what happened, with PBKS outbidding SRH, RCB, LSG, CSK and GT to secure his services for INR 18 Crore, making him the most expensive spinner of the tournament.

With the 18th edition of IPL around the corner, Chahal reflected on his whopping price tag, saying that he totally deserves it.

“I missed the first few minutes of the auction because I was very nervous. The auction is like that. You don’t know what price you will go for, which team. Lots of thoughts come to your mind. I am happy I am going to be closer home. When I asked myself, I got a reply from inside, “Yes, I deserve this price”,” Chahal said in an interaction with Hindustan Times.

The leg-spinner is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 205 scalps to his name. Until pacer Arshdeep Singh surpassed him recently, Chahal was also India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.

“When we were together at the (2024) T20 World Cup, I had told Arshdeep “you are the one who will break my record”. I am very happy for him,” he added.

Talking about his skill-set, Chahal said: “I’ve got four variations (leg-spinner, two forms of googlies, flipper). I trust them.”

He also highlighted the importance of self-belief in order to success as a spinner. “The most important thing is belief. On the ground, how do you respond to match situations is what matters. That’s where you decide when to go for wickets and when to stop the runs.”

“I’ve always had this belief, being mentally very strong. When you don’t believe in yourself, how will others do? Whether I am bowling the first over or the 20th, you have to think right...stay in the present.”

Chahal has fallen out-of-favour with the national selectors lately and it’s tough to predict if the 34-year-old has an international return in him.

“I don’t think about what is not in my hands,” Chahal said when asked about chances of his India comeback.

However, he is ‘happy’ for his spin twin Kuldeep Yadav. “Right now, he is the No.1 wrist spinner in the world. It shows in the way he is bowling both in IPL and international cricket.”

Chahal and Kuldeep once formed a formidable pair for India in white-ball cricket. “I have loved bowling with Kuldeep. We enjoy a great bonding, on and off the field. It shows,” Chahal said.

“It was fun bowling with him because we have a similar approach to bowling. Both of us love to attack. It was also partnership bowling. When one of us would go for runs, the other would make it tighter from the other end. We always trusted each other,” he explained.

Chahal also named the toughest batter he’s bowled to. “Heinrich Klaasen is one, Nicolas Pooran another. They have so much power that sometimes even the edges go for sixes. They are the ones who are challenging. I have gone for sixes against them and done well against them too. But, when I bowl, I don’t look at the name. When you look at their reputation, it will create pressure on you. I have the ball, they have the bat. I have to win the battle.”

“I am not 6’5” or very broad. Mera sab kuch mind pe hai (My mind is everything for me). I always focus on that.”

Punjab Kings will open their IPL 2025 campaign on March 25 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.