A video of Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has taken social media by storm and is said to show the cricketer smoking while driving a luxury vehicle. In the clip, which has drawn sharp criticism from fans and civic groups alike, an individual resembling Chahal is seen taking a puff before casually tossing the cigarette butt onto the road.
India Today cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video at this time. It remains unclear when and where the footage was shot. The clip appeared on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram on Friday, quickly racking up thousands of views and sparking a debate about the civic responsibility of national sports icons. At this stage, India Today cannot confirm the identity of the person in the vehicle or the timeline of the incident.
Neither Yuzvendra Chahal nor his representatives have issued an official statement regarding the viral footage. Despite the lack of verification, the outgoing cricketer finds himself at the center of a social media storm amid the IPL 2026 season.
The controversy comes as a surprise to many, especially considering Chahal’s recent public commitment to a stricter lifestyle. Just weeks ago, ahead of the IPL 2026 season, Chahal sat down with former teammate AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel to discuss his renewed focus on longevity. In that interview, Chahal revealed that he gave up alcohol completely more than six months ago to fight recurring injuries and stay in top shape at 35.
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The leg-spinner took 16 wickets in 14 matches as PBKS went to the finals last season, where they were defeated by RCB. Chahal told De Villiers that he is looking to break the IPL title jinx with Punjab and is eager to perform well during the tournament. Spinner also said that the decision to quit drinking also stemmed from wanting to be a role model for the young players in the squad.
“I quit drinking alcohol and it’s been more than six months now. I’m 35 now, so I want to be more active and give 150% for my team. As a senior player, I want people in IPL to learn something from me,” Chahal said.
The visual of the athlete throwing trash on a public highway particularly outraged viewers. While Chahal is currently representing the Punjab Kings in the 2026 season – where he has already taken three wickets in as many matches – this off-field distraction threatens to overshadow his on-field performance.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
10 Apr 2026 22:34 IST
