Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, known for his sharp leg-spin bowling and quirky personality on social media, recently opened up about one of the most difficult chapters of his personal life—the end of his five-year marriage with YouTuber and actor Dhanashree Verma. In a revealing conversation on entrepreneur Raj Shamani's YouTube channel, Chahal gave a rare glimpse into the emotional turmoil he experienced during and after their separation.
Marriage Cracks That Took Time to Surface
Chahal revealed that the cracks in their relationship didn’t appear suddenly—it had been a gradual breakdown over a period of time. While to the outside world they seemed like a happy couple, privately, both were aware that their relationship was struggling. Despite these internal struggles, they chose to maintain appearances until they had reached clarity about where their relationship was headed.
They consciously avoided making their problems public and, for a long time, continued to portray the image of a couple in sync. However, the growing distance between them, both physically and emotionally, ultimately made it hard to sustain the relationship.
Career Commitments Strained Their Bond
One of the key reasons behind the rift, according to Chahal, was the demanding nature of their respective careers. He was committed to national-level cricket, while Dhanashree was occupied with her work as a content creator and performer. Their busy schedules didn’t allow for enough time together, and this absence of quality time eventually drove a wedge between them.
When asked point-blank if they were pretending to be together towards the end of their marriage, Chahal nodded, silently acknowledging that they were indeed keeping up appearances.
Stepping Away from Cricket for Mental Clarity
As the emotional weight of his deteriorating relationship became too heavy, Chahal decided to take a step back from his professional life. He took a break from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, one of India’s major domestic cricket tournaments. He explained that cricket had always been his source of joy, and when he no longer found happiness in it, he knew something was seriously wrong.
He shared that during that time, he was struggling to concentrate and function mentally. He wasn't able to channel his energy or focus, and the mental fog forced him to temporarily pause his career in order to heal.
Rumors, Labels, and Painful Misunderstandings
Chahal also opened up about the backlash he faced from the public during this period. He said that many began branding him as unfaithful, even though he had never betrayed anyone. He emphasized his loyalty, stating that he’s someone who gives his all in a relationship and stands by his commitments.
“And I have never cheated in my life. I am not that person. You will never find anyone as loyal as me,” he said.
Despite the rumors circulating about him, Chahal chose to remain silent. He said that because his close friends and family knew the truth, he didn’t feel the urge to clarify things for strangers online. However, the judgment and assumptions about his post-divorce demeanor affected him deeply. People were puzzled by his calm appearance and questioned why he wasn’t publicly grieving. They couldn’t see the internal battle he was facing.
Chahal revealed that during those months, he was quietly battling depression. "For a few months, I was depressed. I got anxiety attacks, but only my close ones know about that. I used to have suicidal thoughts because my mind had stopped working," he revealed.
He experienced frequent anxiety attacks and even went through dark phases where suicidal thoughts crossed his mind. It was only the support of his inner circle, including his family and rumored friend RJ Mahvash, that pulled him through those emotionally crippling moments.
Last Exchange with Dhanashree: A Matter of Legal Formality
Speaking about the last time he communicated with his ex-wife, Chahal said that their last conversation happened through their respective lawyers. The exchange took place around September, in relation to some official matter. Beyond that, their contact had been minimal and purely work-related.
He clarified that even before the IPL auction, there hadn’t been any significant personal interaction between them. The final nail in the coffin came after the World Cup. By July 19, Chahal said, it was clear to both of them that the relationship had completely ended. From then on, they only communicated if absolutely necessary—and only for formal reasons.
Financial Settlement and Alimony
Chahal and Dhanashree legally filed for divorce in February 2024. During the court proceedings, it was reported that Dhanashree received a settlement of ₹4.75 crore as alimony. This legal closure marked the end of a five-year journey that had started with hope and happiness but concluded with painful lessons and growth.
Is Love on the Horizon Again?
When asked whether he was currently seeing someone, Chahal dismissed the speculation. He said that people were free to believe what they wanted, but there was no truth to the rumors. While acknowledging that he's not afraid to fall in love again, he admitted that the thought of emotional loss still haunts him.
He candidly spoke about how deeply he connects with someone once he falls in love. For Chahal, love isn't just affection—it's full emotional investment. When such a deep connection is broken, the aftermath can be extremely difficult. That’s why, he said, he isn’t in a rush to move on or find someone new. He needs time to understand and rebuild himself first.
He also touched upon the fear of loneliness that comes after a significant breakup. He said that this fear often leads to overthinking and second-guessing every emotional step. “What if it happens again?” he wondered aloud.
A Personal Battle Fought in Silence
Chahal’s openness about his mental health struggles—especially his experience with anxiety and suicidal ideation—offers a rare and important window into the hidden battles that even successful, public figures often endure in silence. His story is a reminder that emotional pain doesn’t always show on the outside, and that public appearances can be misleading.
With the support of those who stood by him, Chahal seems to be slowly moving forward. He’s not rushing into love or trying to present a picture of a perfect life. Instead, he’s taking time to heal, process, and rediscover the joy that once made him shine—on and off the field.
Marriage Cracks That Took Time to Surface
Chahal revealed that the cracks in their relationship didn’t appear suddenly—it had been a gradual breakdown over a period of time. While to the outside world they seemed like a happy couple, privately, both were aware that their relationship was struggling. Despite these internal struggles, they chose to maintain appearances until they had reached clarity about where their relationship was headed.They consciously avoided making their problems public and, for a long time, continued to portray the image of a couple in sync. However, the growing distance between them, both physically and emotionally, ultimately made it hard to sustain the relationship.
Career Commitments Strained Their Bond
One of the key reasons behind the rift, according to Chahal, was the demanding nature of their respective careers. He was committed to national-level cricket, while Dhanashree was occupied with her work as a content creator and performer. Their busy schedules didn’t allow for enough time together, and this absence of quality time eventually drove a wedge between them.When asked point-blank if they were pretending to be together towards the end of their marriage, Chahal nodded, silently acknowledging that they were indeed keeping up appearances.
Stepping Away from Cricket for Mental Clarity
As the emotional weight of his deteriorating relationship became too heavy, Chahal decided to take a step back from his professional life. He took a break from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, one of India’s major domestic cricket tournaments. He explained that cricket had always been his source of joy, and when he no longer found happiness in it, he knew something was seriously wrong.He shared that during that time, he was struggling to concentrate and function mentally. He wasn't able to channel his energy or focus, and the mental fog forced him to temporarily pause his career in order to heal.
Rumors, Labels, and Painful Misunderstandings
Chahal also opened up about the backlash he faced from the public during this period. He said that many began branding him as unfaithful, even though he had never betrayed anyone. He emphasized his loyalty, stating that he’s someone who gives his all in a relationship and stands by his commitments.“And I have never cheated in my life. I am not that person. You will never find anyone as loyal as me,” he said.
Despite the rumors circulating about him, Chahal chose to remain silent. He said that because his close friends and family knew the truth, he didn’t feel the urge to clarify things for strangers online. However, the judgment and assumptions about his post-divorce demeanor affected him deeply. People were puzzled by his calm appearance and questioned why he wasn’t publicly grieving. They couldn’t see the internal battle he was facing.
Chahal revealed that during those months, he was quietly battling depression. "For a few months, I was depressed. I got anxiety attacks, but only my close ones know about that. I used to have suicidal thoughts because my mind had stopped working," he revealed.
He experienced frequent anxiety attacks and even went through dark phases where suicidal thoughts crossed his mind. It was only the support of his inner circle, including his family and rumored friend RJ Mahvash, that pulled him through those emotionally crippling moments.
Last Exchange with Dhanashree: A Matter of Legal Formality
Speaking about the last time he communicated with his ex-wife, Chahal said that their last conversation happened through their respective lawyers. The exchange took place around September, in relation to some official matter. Beyond that, their contact had been minimal and purely work-related.He clarified that even before the IPL auction, there hadn’t been any significant personal interaction between them. The final nail in the coffin came after the World Cup. By July 19, Chahal said, it was clear to both of them that the relationship had completely ended. From then on, they only communicated if absolutely necessary—and only for formal reasons.
Financial Settlement and Alimony
Chahal and Dhanashree legally filed for divorce in February 2024. During the court proceedings, it was reported that Dhanashree received a settlement of ₹4.75 crore as alimony. This legal closure marked the end of a five-year journey that had started with hope and happiness but concluded with painful lessons and growth.Is Love on the Horizon Again?
When asked whether he was currently seeing someone, Chahal dismissed the speculation. He said that people were free to believe what they wanted, but there was no truth to the rumors. While acknowledging that he's not afraid to fall in love again, he admitted that the thought of emotional loss still haunts him.He candidly spoke about how deeply he connects with someone once he falls in love. For Chahal, love isn't just affection—it's full emotional investment. When such a deep connection is broken, the aftermath can be extremely difficult. That’s why, he said, he isn’t in a rush to move on or find someone new. He needs time to understand and rebuild himself first.
He also touched upon the fear of loneliness that comes after a significant breakup. He said that this fear often leads to overthinking and second-guessing every emotional step. “What if it happens again?” he wondered aloud.
A Personal Battle Fought in Silence
Chahal’s openness about his mental health struggles—especially his experience with anxiety and suicidal ideation—offers a rare and important window into the hidden battles that even successful, public figures often endure in silence. His story is a reminder that emotional pain doesn’t always show on the outside, and that public appearances can be misleading.With the support of those who stood by him, Chahal seems to be slowly moving forward. He’s not rushing into love or trying to present a picture of a perfect life. Instead, he’s taking time to heal, process, and rediscover the joy that once made him shine—on and off the field.
