Punjab Kings (PBKS) leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has spoken about the viral clip involving Rohit Sharma, where the opener jokingly hit him during the ODI against West Indies. Chahal said that he has known Rohit for many years and has a deep relationship with him like an elder brother.
The spinner is not in India’s selection plans at the moment, but he remains a key player for Punjab in the IPL. Notably, the franchise has retained him for IPL 2026 at a price of ₹18 crore. In 2025, Chahal took 16 wickets in 14 matches. Overall, he is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 221 wickets in 174 matches.
I thought, he is old, so I forgive him – Yuzvendra Chahal on Rohit Sharma
Yuzvendra Chahal recently said in an interview with Mashable India on his YouTube channel that the incident with Rohit Sharma happened during an ODI match during the West Indies tour. The leg spinner said that the camera often makes Rohit’s jokes appear bigger than they actually are.
Chahal said, “It was during the West Indies tour. It was an ODI match and Virat bhaiya and Rohit bhai were resting in that match. I was also resting for the entire last series and that moment was just for fun. I know bhaiya since 2011 and we have a relationship like an elder brother.”
“So he keeps joking. It was all because of the camera. If there was no camera, the Haryanvi Jat in me would have come out. Then I thought (I thought, he is an elder, so I forgive him), ‘Leave it, he is an elder, so I will forgive him a little bit,'” he adds.
Rohit Sharma and Yuzvendra Chahal’s viral dugout moment
The moment happened during the second ODI against West Indies on July 29, 2023, when several Indian players were off the field and sitting in the dugout. As the camera zoomed in, Rohit Sharma was seen patting Yuzvendra Chahal on the back, leading to a light-hearted exchange.
Virat Kohli and Chahal were not part of the playing eleven for that match, but they were clearly enjoying the atmosphere from the sidelines. Rohit continued to joke with Chahal while Kohli, sitting next to him, laughed at the scene.
This funny moment, captured live on television, went viral on social media. Fans enjoyed the relaxed mood between the players, with Kohli’s laughing reaction adding to the popularity of the clip.
You can see the image of an elder brother in Rohit Sharma – Yuzvendra Chahal
During the same conversation, Yuzvendra Chahal shared more details about Rohit Sharma’s personality, and described him as a caring and fun-loving senior in the team. Chahal said that although Rohit can sometimes look serious on the field, it is part of his nature as a leader and he never talks harshly to hurt anyone.
“He speaks with affection, and you can see the image of a big brother in him, kind of fun. Of course, there are moments on the field when he looks serious, but you know that’s just his nature. Yes, he never speaks to hurt anyone or to be mean. It’s just his affectionate way. We know him that way, and we really like it. If he didn’t talk like that, it wouldn’t be as pleasant,” Chahal. Said.
Rohit is set to return to competitive action on Sunday, January 11, when India begin their ODI series against New Zealand with the opening match in Vadodara.
Also read: Are Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma making the atmosphere of the Indian team toxic? Shubman Gill dropped the bomb
