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In a heartwarming post-match moment that has captured the imagination of cricket fans and Bollywood enthusiasts, Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta expressed her delight after the match-winning performance by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025. The exchange between the two, marked by Chahal’s candid and humble remark has become a symbol of resilience and renewed hope for the Punjab franchise.
Yuzvendra Chahal shines in Punjab Kings’ thrilling win over KKR
In a captivating encounter at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on April 15, 2025, Punjab Kings pulled off a thrilling 16-run win over KKR, successfully defending a modest total of 111 runs. The architect of this improbable win was Chahal, who bowled a sensational spell – claiming 4 wickets for just 28 runs.
Chahal’s masterful spin bowling dismantled KKR’s chase, as he accounted for key batters including Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh. His ability to pick up wickets at crucial junctures turned the tide of the game decisively in Punjab’s favour, leaving KKR reeling and eventually falling short of the target.
Preity Zinta in awe of Yuzvendra Chahal
The emotional co-owner of Punjab Kings, Preity Zinta, visibly overjoyed by the unexpected victory, rushed onto the field to personally congratulate Chahal. Their warm embrace and brief exchange were captured and widely shared on social media, highlighting the strong camaraderie within the Punjab Kings camp.
Preity Zinta hugs Yuzi Chahal. 🫂❤️ pic.twitter.com/BmMxRZMDBM
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 15, 2025
In a post-match interaction on YouTube, Preity expressed her elation, stating, “In the past, we used to lose matches that were already won. But today, we won a match that looked lost!” To this, a smiling Chahal responded with the now memorable phrase, “Woh past tha!” (That was the past!), eliciting a hearty laugh from Zinta and underscoring the team’s positive and forward-looking mindset.
Preity’s admiration for Chahal is rooted in a long-standing connection that began in 2009 during the Kings Cup in Chandigarh, where she first met the then-young under-19 cricketer. Over the years, she has keenly followed his journey, appreciating his competitive spirit and exceptional skills. Despite her desire to have him in Punjab Kings squad for many seasons, it was only in IPL 2025 that her wish was finally realized.
Reflecting on their journey, Zinta shared a heartfelt “how it started vs how it’s going” post on Instagram, featuring images from their initial meeting and the recent match-winning moment. She expressed her happiness at having Chahal “back where he belongs” and lauded his resilience and fighting spirit, which were clearly evident in the nail-biting victory against KKR.
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