Punjab Kings (PBKS) leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has found himself at the center of a social media storm following a recent Instagram post. While his team currently leads the IPL 2026 points table, Chahal’s off-field interactions are drawing more attention than his on-field performance.
Chahal recently shared a photograph with Indian women’s team star Harleen Deol, captioning it, "Spinning magic every time we set foot on the field." While intended as a friendly nod to a fellow cricketer, the post was immediately hijacked by trolls. Many fans used the comments section to warn Deol, referencing a recent viral controversy involving an actress.
The "Cute DM" Dispute
The trolling stems from claims made by actress and digital creator Taniya Chatterjee (known for her work in OTT series like Gandii Baat).
The Allegation: In a viral clip, Taniya shared details about an interaction with Chahal back from 2023, even showing evidence that he had reacted to her story and described her as “cute.”
Speaking on camera, she said, “This message is from Chahal - he called me cute,” while adding that such compliments are fairly common for her. When asked if she had replied, Taniya clarified that she noticed the message quite late and didn’t respond at the time.
Legal Action
Reports indicate that Yuzvendra Chahal has since filed a defamation lawsuit against Taniya Chatterjee, seeking to challenge the public disclosure of their private interactions. The actress has defended herself, stating that receiving or sharing a compliment is not a crime and that she had no malicious intent to harm the cricketer's reputation.
Yuzvendra Chahal so far in IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, Yuzvendra Chahal has been instrumental for Punjab Kings, securing 11 wickets in 6 matches. Currently holding the Purple Cap, he maintains a steady economy of 8.12. His standout performance remains a match-winning 4/22, proving his veteran status as the league's all-time leading wicket-taker continues to grow.