Let’s take a look at three teams that could target him in the IPL 2026 auction.
Yuzvendra Chahal, the leading wicket-taker in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, was bought by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 auction. However, he didn’t have the best season as he took 16 wickets in 14 matches but had a high economy rate of 9.55, which is not up to the standards he has set over the years.
MAL
–
HKG
–
WI
–
AUS
–
WI
–
AUS
–
RWA
49/10
BHN
163/6
Bahrain beat Rwanda by 114 runs
BHN
114/2
ML
113/9
Bahrain beat Malawi by 8 wickets
RWA
–
ML
–
ROM
128/9
AUST
129/3
Austria won by 7 wickets
HUN
93/10
ROM
94/0
Romania beat Hungary by 10 wickets
HUN
148/8
LUX
78/10
Hungary beat Luxembourg by 70 runs
ROM
–
LUX
–
HUN
–
AUST
–
AUST
–
LUX
–
ALZ
114/2
RPH
108/6
Alby Zalmi CC won by 8 wickets
MAR
102/7
HDN
104/1
Huddinge beat Marsta CC by 9 wickets
MAR
93/8
ALZ
118/7
Alby Zalmi CC beat Marsta CC by 25 runs
HDN
188/2
RPH
135/4
Huddinge beat Rising Phoenix by 53 runs
MAR
110/6
HDN
195/1
Huddinge beat Marsta CC by 85 runs
ALZ
–
JIHCC
–
RPH
–
MAR
–
JIHCC
–
ALZ
–
RPH
–
JIHCC
–
ALZ
–
RPH
–
BOT-W
–
MWW-W
–
EWW-W
–
LSN-W
–
RWA-W
–
SLO-W
–
CW-W
–
MZW-W
–
FEK
175/6
RLC
63/1
KRMPS
–
ALECC
–
GUJCC
–
SUL
–
FRC
79/3
UTC
77/7
Fatemi Resources Cricket Club beat Utkal Cricket Club by 7 wickets
JBK
97/3
MKP
99/4
MR KB Putrajaya won by 6 wickets
KLG
61/6
MXC
62/5
Maxx Cricket Club beat KL Gladiators by 5 wickets
SWCL
119/2
MBMS
–
Match abandoned due to rain
FRC
–
KLG
–
JBK
–
SWCL
–
UTC
–
MXC
–
MKP
–
MBMS
–
KNY
124/8
UGA
125/4
Uganda beat Kenya by 6 wickets
NIG
105/9
NBA
99/8
Nigeria beat Namibia A by 6 runs
UAE
–
NIG
–
KNY
–
NBA
–
YAR
203/9
MMS
212/5
Mahe Megalo Strikers beat Yanam Royals by 9 runs
MAK
166/3
ASS
165/7
Mis Ainak Knights won by 7 wickets
BAD
177/7
SGT
178/6
Speen Ghar Tigers beat Band-e-Amir Dragons by 4 wickets
MAK
–
BDS
–
ASS
–
SGT
–
WIU19-W
–
USAU19-W
–
PNC
198/5
SAC
31/2
IAC
–
AAC
–
PNC
–
WIC
–
NZ
–
SA
–
IRE-W
–
ZIM-W
–
With the IPL 2026 auction set to take place later this year, there is a chance that Punjab Kings might release him. While they could still retain him, if he is released, several teams are likely to show interest. Let’s take a look at three teams that could target him in the IPL 2026 auction.
Mumbai Indians can look to buy Yuzvendra Chahal if Punjab Kings release him. MI currently have Mitchell Santner and Karn Sharma as their experienced spinners. They also have Vignesh Puthur, but since Karn Sharma is getting older, he might not be around for many more years.
Chahal, who is one of the best spinners in the IPL, could be a good option for MI. He even started his IPL career with them back in 2013. He and Mitchell Santner can form a strong spin duo, and with the impact player rule, Chahal can also be used as an impact player.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad could also try to sign Yuzvendra Chahal if he is released by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026 auction. They have Adam Zampa, but he played only two matches. Their spin group also includes Zeeshan Ansari, Harsh Dubey, and Rahul Chahar, but they do not have the same level of experience as Chahal.
Because of that, their spin attack looked a bit weak, and for the next season, they might look to strengthen it. Chahal could be one of the players who can help improve their bowling lineup.
Lucknow Super Giants might be another team that looks to go for Yuzvendra Chahal in the auction if PBKS releases him. Digvesh Rathi did a good job in his debut season, but Ravi Bishnoi, who was retained, did not have a great season.
They also have Manimaran Siddharth and Shahbaz Ahmed as spin options, but none of them are as experienced as Chahal. If the Lucknow pitches favour spinners next season, having Chahal in the team could be a smart move.
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