Preity Zinta, co-owner of the Punjab Kings franchise, recently shared a heartwarming Instagram post celebrating Yuzvendra Chahal’s arrival and performance with the team. But while the tribute to Chahal struck a chord with fans, one surprising detail in the throwback photo caught everyone’s attention — the presence of none other than Yuvraj Singh, then captain of Kings XI Punjab.
In the Instagram post captioned “How it started vs how it’s going ❤️”, Preity recalled first meeting a young Chahal during the Kings Cup in 2009 in Chandigarh, when she was still new to the world of cricket ownership, and Chahal was part of India’s Under-19 setup. The throwback image features an enthusiastic Chahal in the front row and, standing close by, a dashing Yuvraj Singh — then one of India’s most admired cricketers and captain of Kings XI Punjab during the early IPL years.
For context, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) was one of the original eight franchises in the inaugural 2008 Indian Premier League, with Yuvraj Singh leading the side. His association with the team was instrumental in building its early identity and fan base, especially in his home state of Punjab.
“Over the years I saw him (Chahal) flourish & become a force to reckon with… I always wanted him in our team but somehow the stars never aligned… until now!” wrote Preity in her post, expressing her delight at finally seeing Chahal in a Punjab jersey in 2025.
She also celebrated Chahal’s recent player-of-the-match performance, which saw him shine with the ball and help the team clinch a crucial win — a full-circle moment for a player she’s admired since his youth.
What began in 2009 as a fleeting encounter between a budding spinner and a passionate team owner has now turned into a fairytale reunion — one that cricket fans across the country are cheering on.
