Yuzvendra Chahal opened up about his divorce from Dhanashree Verma, explaining the issues in their marriage and the mental toll of cheating allegations.
Yuzvendra Chahal Opens Up About Divorce, Career Struggles, and False Allegations
Senior India cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal broke his silence on his divorce from Dhanashree Verma, revealing what went wrong in their five-year marriage and sharing his mental health struggles amid cheating allegations earlier this year.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree, who married in 2020, began facing difficulties by their third year together. Speaking to Raj Shamani on YouTube, Chahal explained they kept their separation private until finalized, hoping the situation might improve. “We decided we do not want to show the people… until we reached a point of no return, we are not going to say anything. We will be like a normal couple on social media,” he said, admitting he was “faking it” at the time.
He attributed the breakdown to both being deeply focused on their careers, leading to emotional disconnect. “A relationship is like a compromise… sometimes two people’s nature or ambitions don’t match. I was playing for India, she was doing her work. I had to give time here, give time there. I was not able to think about the relationship. Then it happens every day, you think, leave it,” Chahal said. He emphasized the importance of supporting each other’s long-term goals, even if it means personal sacrifices.
Addressing the cheating allegations, Chahal firmly denied ever being unfaithful. “I have never cheated in my life. You won’t find anyone more loyal than me… When people don’t know anything, but they keep blaming me, so you start thinking otherwise,” he said. He stressed the respect he has for women, shaped by his upbringing and family values, condemning baseless rumors used for views.
‘Suicidal thoughts’
Yuzvendra Chahal candidly opened up about the severe impact his personal struggles and public scrutiny had on his mental health. He disclosed experiencing sleepless nights, depression, and even suicidal thoughts during this difficult period.
“I had suicidal thoughts, I was tired of my life, I used to cry for 2 hours. I used to sleep just for 2 hours. It went for 40-45 days. I wanted a break from cricket. I was so busy in cricket. I was not able to concentrate. I used to sleep for 2 hours. Used to share suicidal thoughts with my friend. I used to get scared,” Chahal revealed, highlighting the immense pressure he faced both on and off the field.