Depression, 2-hour sleep, 40 days of pain: Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on trauma after divorce with Dhanashree

Time of India

01-08-2025

Live Events
Is Yuzvendra Chahal dating RJ Mahvash?
Chahal on his viral 'sugar daddy' T-shirt
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of his divorce from Dhanashree Verma , revealing he was wrongly branded a 'cheater' and suffered intense mental health struggles , including suicidal thoughts In a deeply personal conversation on the Raj Shamani Podcast , Chahal said the split had been in discussion for some time, even though it appeared sudden to the public.'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.The 34-year-old admitted he went through a dark phase emotionally, struggling to cope with public judgment amid his separation.'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,' he shared.The mental strain pushed him to consider stepping away from cricket, though he eventually chose to continue.Reflecting on the separation, Chahal pointed to increasing professional commitments as a contributing factor.'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 explained.Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma's divorce was finalized in early 2025, with the Bombay High Court waiving the six-month cooling-off period and directing the Bandra Family Court to expedite the process. The final decree of divorce was granted on March 20, 2025. They had been living separately for over two and a half years.Chahal also addressed the speculation and gossip that followed the divorce, calling it deeply hurtful.'Just because you are seen with someone, people link you up. I have two sisters. I know how to respect women,' he said.Chahal denied the rumours about dating influencer RJ Mahvash. 'No, there's nothing. People can think whatever they want to think," said Yuzi.He further shared how his and Mahavash's every outing and spotting was taken out of context-- from their appearance at the Champions Trophy or Christmas dinner with friends.Elaborating on the same, he said, 'We had a Christmas dinner with five people, but the photo was cropped to make it look like just the two of us were on a dinner date.'.He also recalled a video, which went viral when Mahavash offered Yuzi a pickup ride to the airport. The two were standing outside a hotel when someone recorded them, 'I was just fixing my hair, and people started saying all sorts of cheap things. That really hurt me.'On whether he's open to love again, Chahal admitted, 'It will take time to process. I need to gather myself. I'm not afraid to fall in love again, but I'm scared of losing the person because I get attached with all my heart.'One viral moment — his appearance in court wearing a T-shirt with the message 'Be your own sugar daddy' — was his way of responding without creating more controversy.'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.Despite the turmoil, Chahal said the separation was ultimately peaceful. 'If things happen between two people, they can still happen peacefully,' he added.Currently, Chahal is playing county cricket for Northamptonshire. He recently picked up a six-wicket haul (6/118) in the first innings against Derbyshire in the County Championship Division Two.