“You won’t find anyone more loyal”: Chahal responds to cheating allegations post-divorce

India's leg-spinner extraordinaire, Yuzvendra Chahal, has opened up for the first time on the agonising divorce from Dhanashree Verma and the emotional abyss it cast upon him. Chahal disclosed on the Raj Shamani podcast that he grappled with anxiety, bouts of depression, and suicidal ideations during the dying days of their marital bond.

Chahal and Dhanashree were granted a divorce by the Bombay High Court on March 20, 2025, after nearly five years of marriage. While the news made headlines earlier this year, the cricketer had remained silent until now.

“I had suicidal thoughts. I cried multiple times a day, couldn’t sleep, and went through 40–45 days of emotional breakdown,” Chahal said. “I had panic attacks. I was sweating even in air-conditioned rooms. It became difficult to focus on cricket.” He revealed that he had to take a break from the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2024–25 season to deal with his mental health. According to Chahal, he felt emotionally drained, often questioning his own worth amid social media scrutiny and personal grief.

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Chahal speaks about his divorce, mental health struggles, and how he's trying to move forward

Talking about the breakdown of the marriage, Chahal admitted that both he and Dhanashree were ambitious individuals with hectic schedules. That eventually led to distance and incompatibility. “A relationship requires time, understanding, and compromise. We both were busy with our lives. The connection started fading. I take responsibility too. I couldn’t express myself well,” he said.

Chahal also addressed the online trolling and rumors, particularly accusations of infidelity following the release of a music video by Dhanashree that touched on cheating and abuse. “I was called a cheater. But I have never cheated in my life. I’ve always been loyal. I think from my heart for my loved ones,” he clarified.

He added that his biggest fear is being alone and admitted to keeping a light on while he slept. He said, though there were struggles on the way, Chahal was working on himself and trying to become a better person. That honest conversation, despite the small viewership, has been commended for shedding light on mental health in professional sport, and fans have lauded Chahal for his courage and strength in speaking up.