India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has revealed that he spent 26 days at a rehabilitation centre after realising his alcohol consumption had become excessive. The 36-year-old opened up about a difficult phase in his personal life following his divorce from choreographer Dhanashree Verma, explaining how the experience helped him reassess his habits and regain control of his life.
Speaking to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra on his YouTube podcast Baith and Ball, Chahal said his family, close friends and people around him stepped in when he was struggling. He admitted that he had crossed a limit with his drinking before deciding to seek help.
“My family, best friends, people around me reached out. After last year of county. I had crossed the limit. Then I went to rehab and spent 26 days there. Now I know how to manage things. It (rehab) helped a lot,” Chahal said.
The leg-spinner explained that the changes went beyond his relationship with alcohol. He began managing his emotions better and paying greater attention to his physical fitness, which he believes helped him regain a sense of balance.
“I also started handling myself better, became emotionally mature. I think better. Last IPL I felt like 30-year-old, I am going to the gym, practising my fielding,” he said.
Chahal Opens Up About Drinking Habits
Chahal traced the beginnings of his drinking habits to 2011, when he started playing in the Indian Premier League. He recalled that he and his teammates were young at the time and that partying was part of their social lives. However, he admitted that he failed to recognise when his alcohol consumption had become excessive.
“It all started when I started playing in 2011, we were young, we partied. That happened but I didn’t know when it became excess,” Chahal said.
The Indian spinner also recalled advice from former South Africa batter AB de Villiers, who had stressed the importance of maintaining balance in life.
“AB de Villiers told balance is very important in life. Balancing appears simple but it’s very hard. Even if you manage it a little, things get better,” Chahal said.
Chahal acknowledged that his mental well-being had suffered during the period following his divorce. He eventually realised that his drinking habits could put his cricket career at risk, prompting him to reassess his choices.
“So, it (consumption) became excess and mentally, I wasn’t in a good place either. This is after the divorce. (Then) One day I realised that the thing that I love the most and has given me so much – cricket – this way I won’t be able to continue,” he said.
While Chahal felt his bowling performances had not been significantly affected, he admitted that he could have done more to maintain his fitness and take better care of his body. He said his personal life, however, had been affected considerably.
“Not really but I could’ve done better. I could have managed my body better. Bowling was fine but I could’ve worked better on fitness. Personal life was impacted a lot though,” he said.
Chahal added that he has since moved on from that difficult phase and is enjoying life again.
“Then I left it. Now, I am happy and enjoying life. I play golf and do go-karting,” he said.
Chahal and Dhanashree Verma’s Divorce
Chahal married choreographer Dhanashree Verma in December 2020. After months of speculation about their relationship, their divorce was finalised in March 2025.
In subsequent interviews, Chahal spoke about the emotional toll of the separation and the public scrutiny surrounding his personal life. He also discussed experiencing anxiety attacks and suicidal thoughts during that period, revealing that he had taken a break from cricket because he was struggling to concentrate.
Although Chahal is no longer a regular in India’s plans, he continues to feature in the Indian Premier League, where he represents Punjab Kings. He also returned to English county cricket with Northamptonshire in 2026, having previously played for the club in 2024 and 2025.
