Following his divorce from Dhanashree Verma, India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has talked candidly about his battles with mental health concerns. He disclosed that he was falsely called a “cheater” and suffered from suicidal thoughts during that turbulent time.
Speaking on the Raj Shamani Podcast, Chahal responded to the public’s interest in his private life and emphasized that the choice to split was not made overnight but had been contemplated for a while.
“After my divorce, I was called a cheater. But I have never cheated in my life. I’m extremely loyal — probably more than most. For my loved ones, I’ve always thought from the heart,” he said.
After the split, the 34-year-old cricketer claimed to be emotionally upset.
“I had suicidal thoughts. I was tired of my life. I would cry for two hours a day, sleep just two hours. This went on for over 40 days. I had anxiety attacks, depression. Only those close to me knew what I was going through,” Chahal said.
Chahal added that he thought about quitting cricket since he was having trouble concentrating due to the mental load.
Looking back on his marriage, Chahal stated that the eventual split was caused in part by the increasing work obligations on both sides.
“It was going on for a while. We decided we wouldn’t go public until we were sure. On social media, we looked like a normal couple, but the issues had started to build up. A relationship requires compromise — if both people are always busy, there’s bound to be distance,” he added.
Chahal rejected rumors that surfaced at the time and claimed that the negativity had a profound impact on him.
“Just because you are seen with someone, people link you up. I have two sisters. I know how to respect women,” he said.
The leg-spinner also talked about the widely shared incident in which he appeared in court wearing a T-shirt that said, “Be your own sugar daddy,” implying that it was a symbolic reaction to what was happening on the other side.
“I didn’t want drama, but something happened from the other side. So, I gave my message through the T-shirt. I didn’t abuse anyone,” he clarified.
Chahal claimed that the split was handled amicably and respectfully in spite of the difficulties.
“If things happen between two people, they can still happen peacefully,” he said.
A Mumbai family court awarded the pair a divorce on March 20, 2025, and ordered Chahal to give his estranged wife Rs 4.35 crore in alimony.
Chahal currently represents Northamptonshire in county cricket. In the first innings of the current County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire, he claimed six wickets (6/118 in 33.2 overs).
