Veteran India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has picked Jasprit Bumrah as his Player of the Tournament for the T20 World Cup 2026. He did not pick top batter Abhishek Sharma or T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav for this. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka, starting on Saturday, February 7.

In a video shared by Star Sports on X on January 31, Chahal said Abhishek Sharma will be the best batter and will hit the most sixes in the tournament. He also said Jasprit Bumrah will be the best bowler and his main choice for Player of the Tournament.

Chahal said he is most excited to watch India play Pakistan on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo. He also predicted that 240 will be the highest team total in the tournament.

Watch the video here:

#YuzvendraChahal ki भविष्यवाणी! 💡

As #TeamIndia are en route to defeat history, comment your predictions for this World Cup! 👀

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup 2026 👉 #INDvUSA | SAT, FEB 7, 6 PM pic.twitter.com/CPF3kOXHHJ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 31, 2026

Also read -Why Trent Boult is not playing for New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026?

India Enters T20 World Cup 2026 as Defending Champions

The Men in Blue will enter the T20 World Cup 2026 as the defending champions. They won the 2024 edition under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Chahal was part of the 2024 squad but did not play in any matches.

Bumrah Shines in 2024 Edition

Ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament in the 2024 T20 World Cup. India won the title by beating South Africa in the final. In that tournament, Bumrah took 15 wickets in eight matches. He had an average of 8.26, a strike rate of 11.86, and an economy rate of 4.17. His best bowling figures were 3/7.

Overall, the 32-year-old has played 86 T20Is. He has taken 107 wickets in 83 innings, the second-highest for India in this format. He has an average of 18.28, a strike rate of 17.0, and an economy rate of 6.44.

Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has been in the news recently due to speculation about his personal life. From Yuzi’s widely discussed divorce from his ex-wife Dhanashree Verma to link-up rumours with RJ Mahvash, the spinner has often grabbed headlines for off-field reasons. Now, fresh speculation about his real-life romance has once again put him in the spotlight.

A video showing Yuzvendra Chahal with former Bigg Boss 13 contestant Shefali Bagga in Mumbai has gone viral on social media. The clip, shared by fan pages and various online platforms, shows the two leaving a dinner venue, which quickly sparked online discussions. Their public appearance came at a time when there is already strong interest in Chahal’s personal relationships.

Chahal and Bagga were seen leaving separately after dinner. Chahal wore a black shirt with blue jeans, while Bagga was dressed in a black outfit. Neither of them made any public statement about the meeting, and both stayed silent on social media. However, the visuals from the evening were enough to fuel speculation. Several fan pages claimed the two were spotted together after dinner, with short videos and photos circulating widely and keeping social media buzzing.

Watch the video here: 

🚨Yuzvendra Chahal giving tough competition to Hardik Pandya 💀

Yuzvendra Chahal dating Shefali Bagga after unfollowing RJ Mahvash?

Bro changes dating partners like cars — Chahal is becoming a real playboy cricketer 😬🔥

The two were spotted together after a dinner outing, and… pic.twitter.com/V3ArVwPwOf

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 25, 2026

Also read -

Chahal–RJ Mahvash Link-Up Rumours Resurface

This sighting comes amid recent developments involving Yuzvendra Chahal and RJ Mahvash, a radio presenter who was earlier linked with the cricketer after his divorce from choreographer Dhanashree Verma in 2025. Social media users recently noticed that Chahal and Mahvash no longer follow each other on Instagram, a small but noticeable detail that has once again fuelled dating rumours that first surfaced last year.

What Happened Between Chahal and Mahvash?

Chahal and Mahvash were often seen together at public events and shared supportive posts for each other on social media. However, both repeatedly denied being in a romantic relationship. Addressing the rumours on a podcast, Chahal had said, “No, there’s nothing like that. People can think whatever they want.”

Unfollow Drama Sparks Fresh Speculation

Despite these clear denials, interest in Chahal’s personal life has not slowed down. Reports of the two unfollowing each other on Instagram went viral and triggered fresh speculation among fans and media. Last week, paparazzo Varinder Chawla also shared a post claiming that Chahal and Mahvash had unfollowed each other, hinting at a possible breakup.

Adding to the buzz, RJ Mahvash recently shared a cryptic Instagram story that read, “90% of the time, you will see me fixing my hair. Rest of the time – fixing my life. (sic)” The post further intensified online discussions around the cricketer’s personal life.

Amidst the fallout rumours with the Indian leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, RJ Mahvash has dropped a cryptic message on the social media platform. On January 23, she took to her Instagram stories and dropped a video of herself in which she could be seen sitting in her car, fixing her hair. But the caption on her clip grabbed the eyeballs on the social platforms.

In another story, Mahvash shared a picture of herself and wrote, ‘sending some peace your way’ with a hand-heart emoji. This, interestingly, has come days after Indian cricketer and content creator, RJ Mahvash, caught everyone’s attention for unfollowing each other on Instagram. The reason for their decisions remains unknown, as netizens are buzzing with speculation about potential fallout. 

See Also: “Caught with another woman…”- Smriti Mandhana’s friend makes shocking claim on Palash Muchhal

“90% of the time, you will see me fixing my hair. Rest of the time – Fixing my life.” She wrote on her Instagram story with a laughing emoji as it went viral on social media platforms.

RJ Mahvash reacts to decision of unfollowing Yuzvendra Chahal on Instagram

For the unversed, Chahal and Mahvash’s relationship has been a subject of speculation, particularly after the players’ divorce from Dhanashree Varma in 2025. The rumours had been circulating about the possible romance between Chahal and Mahvash, with many thinking that they might just remain friends. Both have maintained that they would remain just good friends.

“No, there’s nothing. People can think whatever they want to think. For the first time, when I was seen with someone, people started linking us right away. Even though she clarified it, it was very hard for her. She was called a homewrecker. People said really nasty things. I felt terrible.” Chahal appeared on Raj Shamani’s podcast on the dating speculation.

“It will take time to process. I need to gather myself. I’m not afraid to fall in love again, but I’m scared of losing the person because I get attached with all my heart.” Chahal admitted to the same podcast.

India will face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting on January 21 in Nagpur. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian team. This series is important for India as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. India are the current champions and have not lost a T20I series since winning the 2024 World Cup.

India will aim to continue their winning run. New Zealand come into the series after winning the ODI series 2-1, which makes them a strong opponent. Still, the Black Caps have not beaten India in a T20I series since 2018–19.

Since that time, India have won four T20I series in a row against New Zealand. Their most recent meeting ended with India winning the series 2-1 in January–February 2023. In this article, we take a look at five active Indian players who last played the home T20I series against New Zealand in 2023:

Also read -Watch: Gautam Gambhir smiles as he reunites with Hardik Pandya & Jasprit Bumrah ahead of IND vs NZ 2026 T20Is

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill was the highest run-scorer when India last played a home T20I series against New Zealand in 2023. He scored 144 runs in three innings at a strong strike rate of 184.61. He also scored one century.

Gill was not selected for the upcoming T20I series because of poor form. Last year, he scored 291 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 137.26 and did not score a half-century.

Ishan Kishan was picked in the squad instead of Gill. Axar Patel was named vice-captain for the T20I series against New Zealand and for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Overall, Gill has scored 869 runs in 36 T20I matches at a strike rate of 138.9, with one century and three half-centuries.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal played only one match in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand in 2023. He took one wicket and gave away just four runs in two overs.

The 35-year-old was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad but did not play any match. His last T20I game for India was against West Indies in August 2023.

In IPL 2025, Chahal took 16 wickets in 13 matches for Punjab Kings but had an economy rate of 9.55. In T20Is, he has taken 96 wickets in 80 matches at an economy rate of 8.19.

3. Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda played in India’s last home T20I series against New Zealand. He failed to perform well and scored only 12 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 100.

That series was his last for India. In total, Hooda played 21 T20I matches and scored 368 runs at a strike rate of 147.20. He also scored one century.

In IPL 2025, Hooda had a poor season. He scored just 31 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 75.6. Chennai Super Kings released him before IPL 2026, and he was not sold in the auction.

4. Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi played all three T20I matches against New Zealand in 2023. He scored 57 runs at a strike rate of 123.91. His best score was 44 runs off 22 balls.

Overall, Tripathi played five T20I matches for India and scored 97 runs at a strike rate of 144.77. His other two matches were against Sri Lanka.

Tripathi also struggled in IPL 2025. He scored 55 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 96.49 while playing for Chennai Super Kings.

5. Umran Malik

Umran Malik was seen as a big talent in Indian cricket. He played eight T20I matches for India and took 11 wickets, but his economy rate was high at 10.48.

Against New Zealand in 2023, he took two wickets in two matches and bowled at an economy rate of 7.89. That series was his last T20I series for India.

The 26-year-old has struggled in recent seasons. In IPL 2023, he took only five wickets in eight matches for SunRisers Hyderabad. Since 2024, injuries have slowed his career.

He last played for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he took six wickets in five matches.

Another video of Shikhar Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal has caught the attention of their followers. The latest Instagram video depicts a funny conversation between these two cricketers. 

Dhawan asks Chahal if he wants to say something. In reply, Chahal said that he asked for two cups of tea, which are yet to be served. Hearing that, Dhawan went in surprise and then said, "Tum log khandani aise ho (Is your whole family like that?)" The funny video instantly got a huge amount of engagements from the netizens. Needless to say, they thoroughly enjoyed the acting skills of Shikhar Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal.

During the writing of this article, the Instagram video has gained about 3K comments and 549.3K likes. As the content has gone viral, the engagement could be more in the near future.

Read More: Watch: Gautam Gambhir seeks blessings at Mahakaleshwar Temple ahead of IND vs NZ 3rd ODI

Watch the latest funny video of Shikhar Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal here

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shikhar Dhawan (@shikhardofficial)

It is not the first time that their funny video has gone viral. Last year in October, the video with the dialogue "Teri Bhi Shaadi Kara Denge" was a hit. The post's caption read as "Ek baar phirse dulha banne ka mann hai beta... tu rukk ja thoda." In the viral video, Dhawan is seen introducing Chahal to his "third mother," played by Sophie Shine. Meanwhile, Dhawan officially announced his engagement with Shine with a lovely photo in the post.

On the other side, Yuzvendra Chahal is also expected to start a chapter in his personal life. A few days back, Chahla shared a photo with some well-known BGMI gamers, as the cricketer also used to play this. game. 

The premier leg spinner of the Indian cricket team, Yuzvendra Chahal, has not admitted the rumors about his potential participation in a reality show, which he has described as speculative and factually incorrect. There was a massive discussion of Chahal’s alleged involvement in the upcoming reality show called ‘The 50.’

Several reports suggested that the leg spinner would appear on the show alongside his ex-wife, Dhanashree Varma, which generated widespread buzz among the fans, as the couple, who got married in 2020, got separated after 4 years. The reality show is poised to be a significant addition to the Indian TV landscape, which will make its debut on February 1.

See Also: Yuzvendra Chahal in relationship with Disha Patani? Report drops bombshell rumours

“There is no truth to the reports currently circulating about Yuzvendra Chahal’s participation in any reality show. These claims are speculative and incorrect. Yuzvendra is not associated with the show mentioned in recent reports, and there are no discussions or commitments of this nature. We request media platforms and social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information.” Chahal’s statement revealed.

Yuzvendra Chahal responds to claims of meeting Dhanashree Varma in a reality show

The Haryana spinner addressed the rumors by posting the statement on his Instagram story, which states that the circulating reports about the TV and his participation are false. He also clarified that he has no involvement with the show that has been mentioned in recent reports, and there are no commitments as such being made in this regard.

The 35-year-old recently featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025. He picked up 121 wickets in 69 innings of the ODI format for India, while in 79 innings of the shortest format, he collected 96 wickets at an average of 25. His last international game came in August 2023 against the West Indies.

Chahal, who featured for the runners-up of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings, and bagged 16 wickets in 13 innings at an average of under 27 and an economy rate of 9.55, will return for the same franchise in the 2026 season of the tournament.

Rumors of a romance between India's premier leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, and the famous Bollywood actress, Disha Patani, are spreading rapidly on social media. This breaking news style post is providing excitement among the cricket and Bollywood fans, even though there is no official confirmation on its update.

The fans have been surprised by the alleged link between Chahal, who is an Indian player and a star of the Indian Premier League, and Disha, the Bollywood actress, who is known for a cricketing movie- MS Dhoni- The Untold Story and Malang. The rumors were triggered by the social media posts and various memes, but there are no such photos or concrete evidence, with both parties remaining silent.

See Also: Watch: Dewald Brevis’ no-look six against Kagiso Rabada from SA20 2025/26 breaks internet

Bollywood and Cricket are India’s two great obsessions, which start when each of the two worlds comes together on stage and makes it a cherry on the cake moment for the fans. Disha Patani and Chahal's potential romantic story isn’t the first and won’t be the last of such a connection between the two worlds.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Disha Patani’s rumored romance breaks internet

Notably, Chahal has spoken about the rumors linking him to R Mahvash on The Great Indian Kapil Show, clarifying that he is single and the RJ is just his friend, as both of them were seen enjoying the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and on many other functions. This happened after the leg spinner’s divorce from Dhanushri Verma as they closed that chapter of their life.

🚨YUZVENDRA CHAHAL IS IN LOVE WITH DISHA PATANI🚨

Rumors of a romance between Yuzvendra Chahal and Disha Patani are spreading rapidly on social media.

This breaking news-style post is generating excitement among cricket and Bollywood fans, although there has been no official… pic.twitter.com/AvalusNvBG

— GOATam²⁴ (@TheGOATam24) January 13, 2026

In that program, Chahal revealed that he does not want to stick to the past and wishes his ex-wife happiness, which led many videos to go viral.  He also said that people often misread friends hanging out together as rumors, which were further increased by the playful teasing in that show, before the veteran denied a speculation with humor and said that he is happily single.

The Haryana spinner, who contributed decently for Punjab Kings to finish as the runners-up of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League, will return to the tournament for the same franchise in the 2026 edition.

The premier leg spinner of the Indian cricket team, Yuzvendra Chahal, has always shared a close bond with their former captain and the current opening batter, Rohit Sharma. This time, he analysed the tactics and relationship with the Nagpur-born over the years, featuring for the white-ball formats of the longest format, as the video goes viral. 

Chahal has overall picked up 121 wickets in 69 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 27.13, a strike rate of 30.90, and an economy rate of 5.26, thanks to the best bowling figures of 6/42. He expressed how Rohit Sharma intends to keep it simple in the middle.

See Also: Watch: Bhojpuri commentary on Shreyas Iyer’s six during IND vs NZ 1st ODI goes viral 

“Yeah, I fully understand Rohit’s advice. I understand Marathi after all. He speaks with great love. He is such a lovely guy, and he interacts with a lot of fun. Even though he is a serious person, he doesn’t show it in the field. The way he talks, he doesn’t intend it to hurt anyone; it’s just the way of his mannerism. If he doesn’t talk like that, it feels bad.” Chahal was addressed in a viral video.

Yuzvendra Chahal shares special bond with Rohit Sharma

In the case of the shortest format, the Haryana-born has picked up 96 wickets in 79 innings at an average of 25.09 and a strike rate of 18.30 with an economy rate of 8.19, thanks to the best figures of 6/25. He recalled a famous game from the Caribbean.

Watch the video here: 

Chahal talking about Rohit Sharma’s funny nature and how he loves being around him 🤍. pic.twitter.com/7m3jlJE1K3

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) January 11, 2026

“That was the game from the West Indies. Rohit bhai was resting in that game. And I have known him for a long time. He is like my big brother, and we share a bond like that. So, we keep having lots of fun. The camera came, and my Haryana flavor came out. But, I decided to forgive him because he is a veteran (smiles).” Chahal informed.

Rohit, on the other hand, has smashed 26 in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, on the back of his fine knock of 155 runs for Mumbai against Sikkim in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 clash.

While gamers are eagerly waiting for the new updates of BGMI (Battle Ground Mobile India), star Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal took his fans by surprise as he shared some photos from his official social media accounts with some top BGMI gamers of the country. The post shared by Chahal created a series of mixed reactions from the Indian cricket fans. 

It had been more than a couple of years since Yuzvendra Chahal played an international match for India. The spinner's last match for India was a T20I against the West Indies in Lauderhill, Florida, on August 13, 2023. And his last ODI was earlier that year, on January 24, 2023, against New Zealand in Indore, though he's been out of the national team's plans since then.

More than the cricket, it was the personal life controversies which took Chahal under the spotlight. Not every cricket fan is well aware about the fact that the 35-year-old is also known for his enthusiasm about gaming. Persons who used to follow both cricket and online gaming may know about Chahal's love for BGMI.

Read More:Who is Adithya Ashok who is playing against India in IND vs NZ 1st ODI ?

In some previous media reports, Chahal was in discussion with an interest to invest in esports and hinted at joining the S8UL franchise. As an active BGMI player, he has established himself as a prominent FPS (First Person shooter) gamer who loves streaming and playing BGMI, connecting with fans and other creators.

Yuzvendra Chahal shared a post with BGMI players

Meanwhile, gamers are waiting for the latest updates of Battle Ground Mobile India. As per the latest reports, the release date for the BGMI 4.2 update is January 13, 2026. KRAFTON India can make some significant upgrades to the weapons and modes in the game. 

Chahal shared a photo with @scouttanmay and some other gamers with the caption, "A night to remember ❤️".

A night to Remember ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/QgisT1Xw1t

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) January 11, 2026

Frequently asked questions related to BGMI updates:

Q- What is the upcoming version of BGMI?

Ans: BGMI 4.2 

Q- When the BGMI updates will come?

Ans- Probable relaase date is January 13, 2026

Q- What will be the changes in BGMI new version?

Ans- Expected changes like new fearures in weapons, new Metro Royale features, new gameplay elements.

The experienced leg spinner of the Indian cricket team, Yuzvendra Chahal, has added another luxurious product to his garage after purchasing a BMW Z4, which is the premium sports car known for its sleek design and powerful performance. The stylish car, whose price in India starts at around INR 88 lakh, reflects the taste of the spinner and marks a new milestone off the field.

The BMW Z4 car is one of the most eye-catching Rhode stars in the luxury segment, which combines the sporty aesthetics and the scenery-edge technology. Yuzvendra Chahal’s is designed for both the visual appeal and the driving pleasure. Its smooth driving experience and powerful acceleration make it a favorite among sports car enthusiasts.

See Also: Watch: Pakistan U-19 Asian Cricket Team gets grand welcome in Lahore after title victory against India

“Brought my new car home with the two people who made every dream possible. Watching my parents witness and relish this milestone is the real luxury.” Chahal wrote on his social media platform, sharing pictures of his car and with his parents.

Yuzvendra Chahal buys BMW Z4 car to gift his parents

Chahal has been a vital member of the Indian cricket team, especially in the white-ball formats. However, he hasn’t featured in the recent clashes for the national side, having celebrated 121 wickets in 69 innings in the ODI cricket and 96 wickets in 79 innings in the shortest format of the game.

Brought my new car home with the two people who made every dream possible. Watching my parents witness and relish this milestone is the real luxury. ❤️🫂🧿 pic.twitter.com/UL1ZOvmH97

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) December 22, 2025

In the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the leg spinner collected 221 wickets in hundred and seventy two innings at an average of under 23 and an economy rate of nearly 8 with a strike rate of 17 thanks to his 15 wicket haul at the best figures of five for 40 in an innings which came against the Kolkata Knight Riders three years ago.

The purchase of the BMW Z4 car comes at a celebration of Chahal’s career in international cricket and domestic leagues, which has been one of the premier figures. It adds then highlights his off-lifestyle symbolizing both the success and style. Chahal will now shift is focused to the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 before the IPL 2026.