Correspondent, 17 October: Indian cricket team leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has made a significant revelation regarding his personal life, opening up about his battle with mental stress and alcohol addiction. The cricketer disclosed that he spent 26 days in a rehabilitation center to overcome these challenges. He shared these details during an interview on former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra's podcast, 'Bite and Bowl'.
Chahal admitted that his drinking habits began early in his career following his IPL debut in 2011, initially stemming from the party environment among young players. The addiction intensified as his personal struggles grew. He married Dhanashree Verma in December 2020, but the couple underwent a mutual divorce in March 2025. This separation took a severe toll on his mental well-being, triggering panic attacks.
Once his addiction spiraled out of control, Chahal chose to seek medical assistance. Speaking about his recovery, he stated, "I went to a rehabilitation center and stayed there for 26 days. Now I understand how to manage my drinking habit and what to do. This has brought a huge change in my life, and my emotions are much more stable than before. I no longer get distracted by every little thing and can handle situations much better."
Recounting the frightening experience of his panic attacks, Chahal explained, "Due to stress, it felt like my heartbeat was racing. During a panic attack, my face would contort, and I couldn't even speak properly. Sometimes my lips would twist so tightly that anyone could easily tell something was wrong with me."
Having now recovered from the emotional distress of his divorce, Chahal clarified that while his struggles did not significantly impact his cricket, they had a highly negative effect on his personal life. "So I decided it was time to leave this behind. Now I am happy, enjoying going out, go-karting, and playing golf. I am in a much better place now than before," he added.
