Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has publicly shared the emotional challenges he faced during the final stages of his marriage to choreographer Dhanashree Verma. In a recent podcast interview, Chahal revealed that he experienced anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts during a particularly difficult period in his personal life.
Speaking for the first time since the couple officially divorced in March 2024, the 34-year-old leg-spinner described the past few years as some of the most mentally taxing of his life.
“I was having anxiety attacks, I was depressed, I was having suicidal thoughts,” Chahal said. “My body would tremble, I would sweat even when the air conditioner was on.”
Marriage and Separation
Chahal and Dhanashree were married for nearly five years. According to the cricketer, their separation was the result of differing personalities and incompatible life priorities.
“Relationships require compromise, but we were very different people,” he explained. “I was committed to my cricketing career, and she had her own work. We couldn’t spend enough time together, and this had been building for a year or two.”
During the Vijay Hazare Trophy season between December 2023 and January 2024, Chahal took time off from his state team to focus on his mental well-being.
Personal Toll and Public Pressure
The cricketer also addressed the intense scrutiny he faced on social media, especially in the aftermath of the divorce. Chahal said that despite keeping details of the separation private, false allegations and online criticism affected him deeply.
“People began calling me a cheater. I’ve never cheated anyone. I’m loyal. It was painful to be judged without anyone knowing the real story.”
He acknowledged that one of his personal challenges during the relationship was difficulty expressing his emotions, something he is now actively working to improve.
“I don’t express my feelings easily — not joy, not sadness. That’s a flaw I’m trying to fix.”
Chahal firmly denied ever mistreating his former partner, stating that he was raised to treat women with respect.
“I have two sisters. My parents taught me to respect women. Just because I’m in the public eye doesn’t mean people can make assumptions for views or attention.”
Misinterpretations and Media Speculation
Following the divorce, Chahal was photographed at a court appearance wearing a T-shirt with a cryptic message. Some perceived it as a jab at his former wife, but he dismissed those claims.
“I was happy because I had come out of a very painful phase. That smile wasn’t mockery — it was relief.”
Controversy intensified when Dhanashree Verma released a music video shortly after the divorce, featuring themes of betrayal and abuse. While many speculated it reflected her personal experience, Chahal strongly denied any such accusations.
“I have never been unfaithful. I’m not that kind of person. People kept accusing me without knowing the truth.”
Focus on Mental Health
Chahal said the emotional fallout from the divorce led to a period of extreme distress, during which he struggled to cope with everyday life.
“For 40 to 45 days, I would cry for two hours every night and sleep for only two. I told a friend I was having suicidal thoughts. I was scared and needed a break from cricket.”
Despite the difficult journey, Chahal’s candid reflection on mental health and emotional resilience has opened a wider conversation within the sporting world about the psychological pressures athletes face off the field.
