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Yuzvendra Chahal Opens Up On Alcoholism, Rehab And Divorce Struggle
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News18•17-10-2026, 15:55
Yuzvendra Chahal Opens Up On Alcoholism, Rehab And Divorce Struggle
- •Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal opened up about his struggles with excessive alcohol consumption following his divorce from Dhanashree Verma in early 2025.
- •Chahal revealed on a podcast with Aakash Chopra that his drinking crossed all limits after a stint in county cricket, prompting him to check into a rehab centre for 26 days.
- •The spinner admitted to experiencing severe mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and extreme distress during the public scrutiny surrounding his separation.
- •Realizing that alcohol would ruin his career and the sport he loves, Chahal sought professional help and now feels he is in a much happier and better space.
- •Chahal and Dhanashree Verma legally finalised their divorce in March 2025 after an 18-month period of separation, with the cricketer paying a settlement of Rs 4.75 crore.
Key Questions Answered
Yuzvendra Chahal checked into a rehab center for 26 days after his alcohol consumption crossed all limits following county cricket and his divorce, which negatively impacted his mental state and threatened his cricket career.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma legally finalized their divorce on March 20, 2025, through the Bandra Family Court in Mumbai by mutual consent following an 18-month separation period.
Yuzvendra Chahal has stopped consuming alcohol for over six months, a positive lifestyle change he made to prioritize his body, improve his fitness at age 35, and give his best performance for the Punjab Kings.
