Yuzvendra Chahal Contemplated Suicide Following Divorce from Dhanashree Verma

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has, for the first time, spoken publicly about the mental toll of his divorce from model and dancer Dhanashree Verma, revealing that the trauma led him to contemplate suicide.

The couple, who married in December 2020, began living separately from June 2022. In February 2025, both parties filed for divorce by mutual consent.

Chahal Speaks Out: “Divorce Was a Long Process”

In a recent podcast, Chahal candidly shared:

“Divorce doesn’t happen in a day. It was a long process. We kept it hidden from the outside world. On social media, we behaved like a normal couple.”

He revealed the impact on his mental health:

“For a whole month, I slept only two hours a night. I even thought about ending my life several times. I discussed it with close friends. I wanted to take a break from cricket. Even on the field, I couldn’t focus fully on the game.”

Public Reaction and Accusations of Betrayal

Chahal faced public backlash and was labelled a “cheater” during the divorce proceedings. Addressing these accusations, he said:

“People started calling me a fraud during my divorce. I never cheated anyone. I can swear that I am among the most honest and decent men around. Just because a man is seen with another woman doesn’t mean he’s unfaithful. I have two sisters — I know how to respect women.”

Timeline of the Relationship and Divorce Proceedings

The couple’s divorce proceedings did not require the standard six-month separation mandated by law due to their 2.5 years of prior separation. Ultimately, the court granted the divorce and ordered a ₹4.75 crore alimony payment to Dhanashree Verma.

Chahal’s revelations shed light on the emotional struggles professional athletes face behind the scenes and sparked broader discussions around mental health, public judgement, and privacy in the lives of public figures.