Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, has opened up about his life struggles post-divorce from Dhanashree Verma.
The cricketer also revealed that he was being labelled as a cheater across social media platforms and was also thinking about committing suicide.
Speaking on the Raj Shamani podcast, the cricketer said, “After my divorce, I was called a cheater. But I have never cheated in my life. I`m extremely loyal, probably more than most. For my loved ones, I`ve always thought from the heart”.
The spinner further said that he was suffering from anxiety attacks for over 40 days, and was sleeping for just two hours.
“I had suicidal thoughts. I was tired of my life. I would cry for two hours a day, sleep just two hours. This went on for over 40 days. I had anxiety attacks, depression. Only those close to me knew what I was going through,” said the 35-year-old.
Amid the mental strain, the Haryana-born cricketer also revealed that he considered taking a break from the sport as he found it difficult to focus.
Chahal said that the decision to opt for a divorce had been considered for a few months. He added that they both pretended to appear like a normal couple on social media.
“It was going on for a while. We decided we wouldn`t go public until we were sure. On social media, we looked like a normal couple, but the issues had started to build up. A relationship requires compromise – if both people are always busy, there`s bound to be distance,” he said.
So far, Yuzvendra Chahal has represented India in 72 ODIs and 80 T20I matches. In the 50-over format, he has bagged 121 wickets, and has also claimed a tally of 96 scalps in the shortest format of the game. Currently, it seems like he is out of sight of national selectors. Chahal`s last appearance for the national side came in a T20I match against the West Indies on August 13 in 2023.
The spinner is currently playing county cricket for Northamptonshire. He has taken a six-wicket haul (6/118 in 33.2 overs) in the first innings against Derbyshire in the ongoing County Championship Division Two.
(With PTI Inputs)
