In an emotional and profoundly personal revelation, Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal opened up about the darkest chapter of his life—one marred by mental health struggles, sleepless nights, and the trauma of public scrutiny following his divorce from Dhanashree Verma. The cricketer, known for his jovial personality on and off the field, admitted that at one point, he was on the verge of breaking down completely, driven to the brink by baseless cheating allegations that followed his separation.
Speaking on the podcast Figuring Out with Raj Shamani, Yuzvendra Chahal candidly recalled how the intense speculation and harsh commentary affected his well-being.
“I had suicidal thoughts. I was tired of life. I cried for hours. I’d sleep just two hours a night—it went on like that for 40 to 45 days,” Yuzvendra Chahal shared, revealing how he even contemplated stepping away from cricket to regain control of his life. “I used to share my thoughts with a friend. I was scared.”
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Chahal, 35, emphasised how social media and certain sections of the media irresponsibly twisted the narrative surrounding his divorce. “When my divorce happened, people alleged I cheated. I have never cheated in my life. I’m one of the most loyal people—those close to me know that. But people, without knowing anything, made me the villain,” he said.
Having grown up with two sisters, Chahal said the values instilled in him by his family taught him to treat women with respect—something he always upheld. He criticised the trend of linking public figures to rumours without facts, solely for online engagement.
Yuzvendra Chahal breaks silence on divorce with Dhanashree Verma, mental battle.
“I have never cheated in my life…I was depressed. I got anxiety attacks.”https://t.co/aIugIcyQaI
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) August 1, 2025
“Just because my name gets linked to someone doesn’t mean you can write anything for views. That’s not journalism,” Yuzvendra Chahal remarked.
Chahal and Dhanashree married in December 2020 but parted ways legally on March 20, 2025. The separation attracted significant public interest, much of which turned speculative and damaging.
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On the cricketing front, Chahal hasn’t played for India since August 2023, having fallen out of the selectors’ radar amid fierce competition from emerging spinners. While his future with the national team remains uncertain, his decision to speak out is a bold reminder of the human cost athletes often bear behind the scenes, one that transcends the boundary ropes.
