Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has opened up about his struggles with alcohol consumption, anxiety and the impact of his divorce on his mental health and cricket career. In a candid conversation with former India cricketer Aakash Chopra on the Baith and Bol podcast, the 36-year-old revealed how he sought professional help after realising that his drinking habits had started affecting his personal life. Chahal disclosed that his alcohol consumption increased during a difficult phase following his divorce.
After completing his last county cricket season, he decided to address the problem and admitted himself to a rehabilitation centre, where he spent 26 days. “Jyaada ho gaya tha. Limit cross kardi thi (It got a bit too much. The limit was crossed). I went to a rehab center where I stayed for 26 days. Now, I know how to handle drinking—what to do, how things work,” Yuzvendra Chahal said.
The spinner explained that the experience helped him manage his emotions more effectively and improve his approach to life. He also noticed a positive difference in his physical condition and training routine during the following IPL season. Chahal traced his drinking habits back to the early years of the IPL, particularly around 2011, when partying became part of his lifestyle.
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However, he admitted that he did not initially understand the consequences of excessive consumption. Advice from former South African batter AB de Villiers about maintaining balance eventually became an important lesson for him. Reflecting on that period, Chahal said his mental state had deteriorated following his divorce. He eventually recognised that continuing down the same path could affect the sport he loved, even if his bowling performances had not suffered significantly.
The leg-spinner acknowledged that his personal life and physical conditioning had been affected more than his on-field performances. He subsequently decided to leave the habit behind and focus on his fitness, training and overall well-being.
Yuzvendra Chahal also discussed the pressure of being a public figure, explaining that scrutiny of his personal life on social media added to his difficulties. During that period, he took a break from cricket and played only two white-ball matches in the year, avoiding T20 cricket because he did not feel mentally ready. “When you are a public figure you basically give everyone an invitation to comment on your personal life. When things started to be said about my personal life, it felt bad. It also had an effect on my cricket,” he said.
Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on alcohol addiction, panic attack 26-day rehab stay: ‘Things got excessive’
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The cricketer revealed that he experienced anxiety and panic attacks, which sometimes caused a rapid heartbeat and made it difficult for him to speak normally. “Anxiety is like your heart starts beating really fast from the inside. My face used to shrink during a panic attack. I couldn’t even speak,” Chahal explained.
Over time, he took steps to address these difficulties and shift his attention away from public criticism. He credited his family and best friend for supporting him through the challenging period.
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Yuzvendra Chahal now says he feels happier, more emotionally mature and physically stronger. By prioritising his well-being and returning his focus to cricket, the spinner believes he has regained a healthier balance in his life. “I am much more mature. Now I don’t need that substance just to talk or function,” Chahal concluded.
