Team India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has finally broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his ex-wife, Dhanashree Verma. The cricketer addressed her recent remarks made during a popular reality show, which quickly sparked social media debate.

Dhanashree had alleged that Chahal was unfaithful just two months after their marriage, a statement that stirred widespread reactions among fans and followers. Her comments painted a troubling picture of their short-lived relationship, drawing significant public attention. Chahal, however, firmly dismissed the accusations, calling them “false and disappointing.” 

The leg-spinner expressed his frustration over personal matters being discussed publicly and urged everyone to respect boundaries. He emphasized his focus remains on cricket and maintaining professionalism, rather than being dragged into controversies surrounding his personal life. While talking to Hindustan Times, Yuzi said, “ I am a sportsperson, and I do not cheat.”

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Yuzvendra Chahal Dismisses the Claim Made by Dhanashree Verma:

Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma tied the knot in December 2020 in Gurugram after first connecting during the Covid-19 lockdown. Their friendship began when Chahal enrolled in Dhanashree’s online dance classes, and the two soon developed a close bond.

However, after living separately since 2022, the couple officially filed for divorce in February 2025. The Bombay High Court expedited the process by waiving the standard cooling-off period, enabling the separation to be finalized before the start of the IPL 2025 season. Their decision marked the end of a much-discussed chapter in the cricketer’s personal life.

Yuzi said, “ Agar koi two months mei hi cheat karta toh itna lamba relationship chalta kya? (If someone had cheated within just two months, would the relationship have lasted this long?) For me, this chapter is over, done and dusted. I have moved forward with my life, and everyone else should too.”

He further said, “ Hamari shadi 4.5 years thi. Agar two months mei cheat hua hota toh kaun continue karta? Mai pehle bhi bol chuka hun ki mai past se nikal chuka hun. (Our marriage lasted four and a half years. If cheating had happened within two months, who would have continued? I’ve already said before that I’ve moved on from the past.)”

He added, “ But some people are still stuck there. Abhi bhi kai log uss cheez ko pakde hue hain, abhi bhi unka ghar mere naam se chal raha hai toh (Even now, many people are still holding on to that issue, and their household is still running in my name), they can continue doing that. I am not concerned or affected. And I have a feeling this is the last time I am addressing that chapter of my life.”

He concluded, “ Mai iss chapter ko bhula chuka hun. Koi kuch bhi keh deta hai, and social media pe chal jata hai. 100 baatein chalti hain (I’ve moved on from this chapter. People say all sorts of things, and it spreads on social media. A hundred different stories start circulating), but the truth is only one, and those who matter know it. Mere liye chapter closed hai (For me, that chapter is closed). I don’t want to address it ever again. I am focusing on my life and my game.”

The 35-year-old last represented India in 2023 and was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad, though he didn’t feature in any matches. At present, he is not considered a part of the team’s immediate plans.

Dhanashree Verma, former wife of Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, has been making several accusations against him on the OTT reality show “Rise and Fall.” The couple got divorced on March 20, 2025, after the Bandra family court in Mumbai approved their joint petition for mutual consent. They were married in December 2020 but had been living separately since June 2022.

Amid the controversy, Chahal appeared in a funny reel with his close friend and former India opener Shikhar Dhawan. In the video, a voice in the background says, “We’ll get you married, son. Let me get married first.” The clip shows Dhawan acting as Chahal’s father, creating a light-hearted moment that quickly went viral on social media.

Chahal looks surprised in the video and asks, “Papa, are you married?” Dhawan’s girlfriend, Sophie Shine, then appears, and Dhawan jokes, “This is your third mother.” Chahal, shocked and holding his head, reacts in disbelief while Dhawan offers him something to eat. The fun exchange left fans amused and brought some humor amid the tense headlines surrounding Chahal’s personal life.

Dhawan’s New Chapter and Chahal’s Cricket Comeback

Shikhar Dhawan announced retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket on August 24, 2024. He has since been busy with many Legends leagues across the globe. He became news recently by deciding against playing against Pakistan in World Championship of Legends in England, evidencing his hardline national approach.

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Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal is focusing on making his return to the Indian team. The IPL’s highest wicket-taker last played international cricket in August 2023. For Punjab Kings last season, he took 16 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 26.88. The 35-year-old now aims to perform well in domestic cricket and earn his comeback.

On the reality show Rise and Fall, actress Dhanashree Verma has spoken openly about her divorce in a candid step with the Indian leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal. The actress addressed the speculation and denied making the claims about demanding alimony, which reflected on their four-year-long marriage.

Verma is currently competing on the reality show and revisited her split with the Indian spinner and revealed that rumors about alimony were untrue. During the show, he discussed with the host and the Bollywood singer, Aditya Narayan.

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“Officially, it has been almost a year. It happened quickly because it was mutual, that’s why when people say alimony, it’s wrong. Just because I am not saying anything, you will go on saying anything? My parents have taught me to only justify to people whom I care about. Why waste time explaining those who don’t even know you?” Dhanashree Verma expressed during a recent interaction.

Watch: Dhanashree Verma reveals story of alimony from Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has picked up 121 wickets in 69 innings during the ODI format at an average of over 27, a strike rate of 30, and an economy rate of over five. In the shortest format of the game, the leg spinner has collected 96 wickets in 79 innings at an average of 25.09 and a strike rate of 18.3, along with an economy rate of over eight. His wife opened up about the tough times during the tough period.

Dhanashree Verma About Taking 60cr Alimony Rumours from Yuzvendra Chahal 😨 pic.twitter.com/W79BXAB0gd

— Jeet (@JeetN25) September 25, 2025

“We were married for four years; we dated 6-7 months before that. Eventually, you get hurt when you see that happening. It was not needed. None of it is true. I felt worse wondering why he did it. It’s okay, I will always keep his respect, that is what I believe in. Now, I don’t think I can date anybody.” Dhanashree Verma, appearing on the reality show ‘Rise and Fall,' addressed.

“I have never said anything against anyone on the show, yet I never dragged my personal life on the show. I am told I am getting influenced, but that’s not true; I don’t like this environment.” Verma concluded on the entire incident.

Actress Akriti Negi’s incredible Rise and Fall journey has become one of the amazing moments of the season in no time. Her bravery, a never-say-die attitude, and a unique sense of humor have not only won the hearts of the audience but also gotten the attention of the Indian cricket stars.

The show hosted by businessman Ashneer Grover has contestants locked into a unique setup where they are tested for their resilience and adaptability. Akriti, who earlier appeared on Splitsvilla and Roadies, has earned a reputation as one of the strongest participants on the show. With the finale drawing near, a clip of Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan urging fans to vote for her has gone viral on social media.

The video, shared by tennis player Anshuman Srivastava on Instagram, shows Ishan Kishan appealing, “Please everyone, vote only for Akriti.” In the background, Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh’s songs can be heard playing, adding a fun element that caught the attention of fans.

Cricketers’ Support and Rumoured Connections

Ishan’s support surprised many fans, who expected him to back Dhanshree Verma, the ex-wife of Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Rumors also suggest that all-rounder Nitish Reddy and pacer Akash Deep have quietly backed Akriti Negi, though none have posted publicly on social media.

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A possible reason behind Ishan Kishan’s vocal support is Akriti’s rumored relationship with tennis player Anshuman Srivastava. Considering that Anshuman is close friends with both Ishan and Shubman Gill, Ishan’s support looks more like a gesture of goodwill to the partner of his friend.

In T20I cricket, big-hitting batters usually steal the show with sixes and quick runs. But behind all the fireworks, a few Indian bowlers have proved how important they are to the game.

Under pressure from hard-hitting batters, these bowlers have turned tough moments into chances to shine. Bowling in T20s is never easy it needs control, quick thinking, and the ability to stay ahead of the batter. Still, these Indian bowlers have done it many times, using smart variations to beat even the most dangerous opponents.

Top 5 Indian Bowlers with the Most Wickets in T20Is

5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 90 wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is key bowler for India in T20s. He could swing the ball and bowl accurately in the last overs. He often took early wickets and stopped runs at the end of the game. In 87 matches, he took 90 wickets. His best performance was 5 wickets for 4 runs. He hasn’t played for India since the 2022 T20 World Cup but was always dependable.

4. Jasprit Bumrah – 92 wickets

Jasprit Bumrah is one of India’s best T20 bowlers. His crushing yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers make him dangerous in big moments. In 72 matches, he took 92 wickets. His best figures are 3 wickets for 7 runs. He bowls economically with an average of 16.8 and an economy of 6.29. He can both stop runs and take important wickets.

3. Hardik Pandya – 96 wickets

Hardik Pandya is known for his all-round skills. While his batting he can hit big sixes and he can play very aggresively when team needs,his bowling has helped India win many matches . In 117 games, he has taken 96 wickets, with best figures of 4/16. His bowling average is 26.61 and economy is 8.21, showing he is consistent. Hardik can change games with both bat and ball.

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2. Yuzvendra Chahal – 96 wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has been India’s main spinner in T20s. His leg-spin and variations confuse batsmen. He has 96 wickets in 80 matches and was India’s top wicket-taker until Arshdeep Singh passed him. His 6/25 against England in 2017 is one of the best spells in T20Is. Surprisingly, he has never played a T20 World Cup game for India.

1. Arshdeep Singh – 100 wickets

Arshdeep Singh is now a key bowler for India in T20s. He was India’s top wicket-taker in both the 2022 (10 wickets) and 2024 (17 wickets) T20 World Cups. In 64 matches, he has taken 100 wickets at an average of 18.37. He has two four-wicket hauls, with his best figures of 4/9 against the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy made a strong return to international cricket last year after being out of the Indian team for almost three years. Since his comeback, the 34-year-old has been very good with the ball. He is expected to play an important role for Team India in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

After some good shows in the IPL, Chakaravarthy made his international debut in a T20I series against Sri Lanka in July 2021. He was also picked for the T20 World Cup in the UAE the same year, but he could not make an impact. He went wicketless in the ICC event and was dropped from the team.

His steady performances for KKR in the IPL helped him earn another chance during the home series against Bangladesh in October last year. Since then, he has not looked back. Chakaravarthy has played 19 T20Is so far. In this piece, we compare his stats with those of another Indian leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, after 19 T20Is.

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Varun Chakaravarthy vs Yuzvendra Chahal – Who Has More Wickets After 19 T20Is?

After 19 T20Is, Varun Chakaravarthy has taken 34 wickets at an average of 14.26. Out of these, 14 wickets came in five matches against England at an average of 9.85. He also picked up 12 wickets in four matches against South Africa at an average of 11.50 and five wickets in three matches against Bangladesh at an average of 14.60.

After 19 T20Is, Yuzvendra Chahal had 31 wickets at an average of 19.58. Of these, 14 came in five matches against Sri Lanka at an average of 13.50 and eight in three T20Is against England at an average of 10.62. He also claimed three wickets in three matches against New Zealand (average 23.33) and three in three T20Is against Zimbabwe (average 29.66).

Varun Chakaravarthy vs Yuzvendra Chahal – Economy Rate and Five-Wicket Hauls

Chakaravarthy’s economy rate after 19 T20Is is 6.87. Against England, he has an economy of 7.66 in five innings, while against South Africa it is 8.62 in four innings. He has been more economical against Sri Lanka (5.30 in three innings) and Bangladesh (6.08 in three innings).

Chahal’s economy rate after 19 T20Is was 8.25. He had an economy of 7.00 in three innings against New Zealand and 7.41 in three innings against Zimbabwe. Against Australia, his economy was 6.93 in two innings, but it went up to 12.87 in two innings against South Africa.

In terms of five-fers, Chakaravarthy has two. His best of 5-17 came against South Africa in Gqeberha in November 2024. He also took 5-24 against England in Rajkot in January 2025. Both performances, however, came in losing causes.

Chahal had one five-fer and two four-fers after 19 T20Is. His best of 6-25 was against England in Bengaluru in February 2017. He also took 4-23 against Sri Lanka in Cuttack and 4-52 in Indore during the same series.

Quick Stats Table

Varun Chakaravarthy vs Yuzvendra Chahal – Records in Winning Matches

Chakaravarthy has played 13 winning matches for India out of his 19 T20Is. In those games, he has taken 23 wickets at an average of 15.43 and an economy of 7.55, with a best of 3-23. In the six games India lost, he still did well, taking 11 wickets at an average of 11.81.

Chahal also played 13 winning matches in his first 19 T20Is. He picked up 25 wickets in those games at an average of 15.04 and an economy of 7.52, with a best of 6-25. In the six games India lost, his numbers were weaker – six wickets at an average of 38.50 and an economy of 9.82.

Dhanashree Verma again made some explosive claims after separating from star Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal. During a program, Verma loudly claims that she is still standing firmly because she has talent. She is pretty open about his life after divorce from Chahal. During the program she said that despite a setback in personal life, there are plenty of opportunities to work in the industry. Dhanashree also claimed that she is getting multiple Bollywood movies and projects after the divorce also.

Dhanashree Verma and Yuzvendra Chahal got married in 2020, and in March 2025, they decided to divorce. According to media reports, Chahal paid around INR 4.75 crore in alimony. The incident created controversy around social media platforms. Some claimed Chahal was responsible for the situation, while some were against Verma. 

Dhanashree Verma, born on 27 September 1996 in Dubai, UAE, is a multi-talented personality. She is a well-known choreographer, dancer, and YouTuber and also a dentist. She gained a massive appreciation by choreographing the popular song 'Vaathi Coming' from the Tamil film Master. After the separation, she focused on the career that she mentioned during the program. 

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Latest statements made by Dhanashree Verma 

"Dude, I'm standing here. The whole world is against me today. I'm standing here and working and getting work. People are still giving me work. I also mentioned it in my podcast. I love the industry because people are still giving me work, not because of what has happened... I'm getting offers for movies and projects because I have talent. So if I don't stand up for myself, it has nothing to do with experience," Dhanashree said loudly. 

Dhanashree : I'm getting multiple bollywood films and projects after divorce alsopic.twitter.com/ITyEhFSwYv https://t.co/w6AEvzh4ds

— Jeet (@JeetN25) September 9, 2025

Like Verma, Chahal too is trying to move on from the past incident. After a setback, he chose IPL 2025 as the stage to mark his comeback. With Punjab Kings, Chahal contributed with his spin and experience brilliantly, helping Punjab Kings to qualify in the final of IPL 2025, where they lost against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

The famous choreographer, Dhanashree Verma, separated from the Indian leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, as it remained one of the most discussed controversies in the ongoing year. Since the divorce case, she had been subjected to ongoing trolling with many unfairly calling her a ‘gold digger.’

Amidst all the ups and downs during a tough period in her life, Verma has now been seen in the reality show called Rise and Fall, where she candidly opened up about her marriage and the backlash she faced. She revealed how she decided to go for dignity over negativity, besides taking a dig at India spinner Chahal and the trolls in the show.

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“When you are married, you also hold the responsibility of safeguarding your partner’s respect. If I wanted, I could have disrespected him, too. Don’t think I have anything to say as a woman — I do. But he was my husband. I respected him during our marriage, and even now, I continue to respect the fact that he was my husband.” A clip from a show where Verma expressed her feelings.

Watch: Dhanashree Verma hits out at Yuzvendra Chahal on divorce case and tolls

Chahal hasn’t gone through a special time with the ball in his cricket career. He hasn’t featured for the national side for several years and is struggling to find the old rhythm with the ball. In 79 innings, the leg spinner has picked up 96 T20I wickets at an average of 25.09 and an economy rate of 8.19.

Dhanashree ne kiya apne past ko yaad😮#RiseAndFall, co-powered by @Lux_Innerwear
Official Lighting Partner: @orient_electric
AI Home Partner: @indiahaier
Official Health Partner: @pintolaofficial pic.twitter.com/YQgpbd3FIu

— Amazon MX Player (@MXPlayer) September 8, 2025

“I am standing here. The whole world is against me, but I am standing here and getting work done today. I had said this earlier, too. I love the industry because people are still giving me work. I am getting movies, not because of what has happened, but because I have talent. So if I don't stand up for myself, it has nothing to do with experience. It is to do with intent.” Verma addressed.

Dhanashree’s remarks not only highlight her composure but also display her incredible ability to handle the negativity sharply. Chahal didn’t go through a strong and dominating season for the Punjab Kings when they finished as the runners-up in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Yuzvendra Chahal was one of the key instruments behind Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) run to the final of IPL 2025. The experienced spinner picked up wickets at crucial times to shift the momentum of the matches. But still, the management has multiple reasons to release Chahal before the IPL 2026 mini auction. 

For these 3 reasons PBKS should consider getting rid of Yuzvendra Chahal:

Economy Rate: Without any doubts, IPL 2025 was a memorable season for PBKS. But can we say the same for Chahal, keeping an eye on his stats he produced on that campaign? He played 14 matches and 13 innings and had a 9.55 economy rate with his name, which is far away from his best. In IPL 2024, when he was with Rajasthan Royals, the economy rate was 9.41. During his career’s prime, the leggy spinner’s economy rate used to be slightly above 7, and for the last two seasons, it was above 9, which is very expensive from a bowler’s perspective. 

Wicket-Taking Ability: Chahal’s comeback in IPL 2025 was remarkable. After battling with personal issues, making a statement through on-field performance was not an easy task. In 14 IPL 2025 games, the spinner claimed 16 wickets. Most of the wickets he got after the initial few matches. With a best bowling figure of 4/28, Chahal created the hype but may be unable to touch his best. With a high economy rate and inconsistent performance, Chahal was sometimes vulnerable in front of opponents.

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 Reliability: There are no doubts over his ability, but the matter is about reliability. There are multiple occasions when PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer did not utilize the experienced spinner for a full 4-over quota. The tendency to leak too many runs and inconsistent performance raised questions about reliability as a regular bowler. He was like an unpredictable bowler, who can win a match for the team or can unexpectedly flop. 

Chahal's IPL 2025 bowling stats:

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s ex-wife, Dhanashree Verma, recently took a swipe at the cricketer over a T-shirt he wore during their divorce proceedings. The T-shirt, which carried the slogan “be your own sugar daddy,” quickly went viral online and stirred reactions. Dhanashree, while speaking on the Humans of Bombay podcast, criticized Chahal for what she called a “stunt” during such a sensitive period. She revealed how the act deeply affected her emotionally at a time when she was already going through turmoil.

The choreographer further opened up about her emotional breakdown during the divorce verdict. She admitted she was left howling and crying as the decision was announced, describing it as one of the most painful moments of her life. Chahal and Dhanashree married in December 2020 after falling in love during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their marriage could not stand the test of time, and the two officially parted ways earlier this year, ending their nearly four-year relationship.

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"You know that people are going to blame you. Before I had even known that this T-shirt stunt had happened, we were all aware that people were going to blame me for this. Are bhai, WhatsApp kar deta. T-shirt kyu pehna hai? (You should have sent it on WhatsApp. Why wear the T-shirt?). I still remember when I was standing there and the verdict was about to be given. Even though we were so well-prepared mentally, I got so emotional. I started howling in front of everybody. I couldn't even express what I was feeling at that point. I just remember that I just kept crying, I was just howling and crying. Of course! All of that happened, and he (Chahal) walked out first," Dhanashree said in an interview.

You have to put in an effort: Dhanashree

Dhanashree Verma reflected on her marriage with Yuzvendra Chahal, saying that she had always put in every possible effort to stand by her partner. She mentioned that she had supported him in both big and small matters, and people had witnessed her commitment throughout their relationship. Verma explained that her emotional outburst during the divorce was a result of the deep effort she had invested, adding that how one behaves on such a day is a true reflection of their character. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal had an impressive campaign in IPL 2025 with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Playing 14 matches, the leg-spinner picked up 16 wickets at an average of 26.87 and an economy rate of 9.55, including two four-wicket hauls, showcasing his continued impact in the tournament.

"You have to put in an effort. I know how much I have stood up for my partner, and everybody has seen that. Like for the smallest or biggest things, I have been there. Maybe because of that, my emotions came out. How you behave on that particular day is a reflection of you as a person," Dhanashree added.