Yuzvendra Chahal smoking in car? Clip sparks massive online debate

A video featuring India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has gone viral on social media. It allegedly shows the cricketer smoking while driving a luxury vehicle. It is claimed that in the clip, Chahal is seen taking a puff and then throwing the cigarette butt onto the road, which has led to criticism from fans and civic groups.However, The Times of India is currently unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video. It is not clear when or where the footage was recorded. The clip appeared on X and Instagram on Friday and quickly gained thousands of views, leading to discussion about the civic responsibility of public figures. Yuzvendra Chahal has not issued any official statement on the viral clip. Despite no verification, the video has placed the cricketer at the centre of an online debate during the IPL 2026 season.The issue has come as a surprise to some, as Chahal recently spoke about a stricter lifestyle. A few weeks before the IPL 2026 season, he appeared on former teammate AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel and spoke about focusing on fitness and longevity. In that conversation, Chahal said he had stopped drinking alcohol more than six months ago to manage injuries and stay fit at 35.The leg-spinner took 16 wickets in 14 matches last season as PBKS reached the final, where they lost to RCB. He told de Villiers that he wants to win the IPL title with Punjab and perform well in the tournament. He also said his decision to stop alcohol was linked to wanting to set an example for younger players. "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.Chahal is currently playing for Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026 season, where he has taken three wickets in three games. The off-field issue comes alongside his on-field performances.