Yuzvendra Chahal opens up about alcohol dependence, rehab stay: ‘26 days’

Indian off-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has shared details of a challenging period in his life, detailing how his divorce from Dhanashree Verma impacted his mental health and cricket career. Speaking on the Baith and Ball podcast, the 36-year-old opened up about the anxiety and panic attacks he faced as public speculation about his private life escalated.

Chahal explained that his public persona intensified the scrutiny of his personal life, with constant discussions on social media adding to his emotional strain. He admitted that the constant comments hurt him deeply, causing his heartbeat to race and his face to tighten during panic attacks. Chahal recalled how his face would sometimes pull to one side, visibly indicating his distress.

He had never experienced such severe anxiety before, and the situation became so difficult that he had to step away from T20 cricket temporarily. Chahal played only two white ball matches during this phase, citing his inability to perform at his best and his desire to protect his team's image. He reached out to Anirudh Chaudhry, who supported his decision to take a break.

Chahal and Verma, a dancer and social media influencer, tied the knot in December 2020. However, their divorce became final in March 2025, attracting significant media attention. Chahal admitted to struggling with alcohol consumption during this period, realizing that his drinking had spiraled out of control and could ruin his passion - cricket.

He sought professional help and spent 26 days in a rehabilitation center, crediting the experience for helping him regain control of his life and emotions. Chahal is now in a much better mental state and has been focusing on his fitness and personal well-being. For him, the ultimate goal was not just to return to the cricket field but to put his life back together.