Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A video featuring India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has taken social media by storm, purportedly showing the cricketer smoking while driving a luxury vehicle. In the clip, which has drawn sharp criticism from fans and civic groups alike, the individual, resembling Chahal, is seen taking a puff before casually tossing the cigarette butt onto the road.
India Today is currently unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video. It remains unclear when or where the footage was recorded. The clip surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram on Friday, quickly racking up thousands of views and sparking a debate regarding the civic responsibility of national sporting icons. At this stage, India Today cannot confirm the identity of the person in the vehicle or the timeline of the event.
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 centre of a social media storm in the middle of the IPL 2026 season.
The controversy comes as a surprise to many, especially given 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 conversation, Chahal revealed that he had completely given up alcohol more than six months ago to combat recurring injuries and maintain peak fitness at 35.
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The leg-spinner picked up 16 wickets in 14 matches as PBKS went to the final last season, where they were beaten by RCB. Chahal told De Villiers that he is aiming to break the IPL title jinx with Punjab and is eager to perform well during the tournament. The spinner also said that the decision to quit alcohol also stemmed from the fact that he wanted to be a role model for the young players in the squad.
“I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, and it’s been more than six months. I am now 35, so I want to be more active and give my 150% for my team. As a senior player, I want people in the IPL to learn something from me,” said Chahal.
The visual of an athlete tossing litter onto a public highway has particularly irked viewers. While Chahal is currently representing Punjab Kings in the 2026 season—where he has already picked up three wickets in as many games—this off-field distraction threatens to overshadow his on-field performance.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
