'I had suicidal thoughts, used to sleep for only 2 hours' - Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on effect of cheating allegations post divorce

Published - 31 Jul 2025, 22:25 IST | Updated - 31 Jul 2025, 22:32 IST

Star cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal weighed in on how allegations of him cheating with ex-wife Dhanashree Verma almost drove him to take his own life. He shared how badly his mental state was affected by the rumours post-divorce, something which had completely ruined his sleep cycle too. The leg-spinner also revealed that he wanted to take some time away from cricket itself.

Chahal, who has been battling for a spot in the Indian team for quite some time now, has also been involved in some personal life battles. He defined the phase of his life gone by as an extremely challenging one, and said that he would often face sleepless nights due to depression, stress and everything that followed the chores of his mid-life crisis.

“I had suicidal thoughts, I was tired of my life, I used to cry for 2 hours. I used to sleep just for 2 hours. It went for 40-45 days. I wanted a break from cricket. I was so busy in cricket. I was not able to concentrate. I used to sleep for 2 hours. Used to share suicidal thoughts with my friend. I used to get scared,” shared Chahal on Figuring Out with Raj Shamani.

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The 35-year-old remarked how journalists and the media presented a false narrative just to satisfy their agenda and to increase their traffic. Chahal credited growing up with his two sisters for instilling in him the importance of valuing women.

“I think when my divorce happened, people alleged me of being a cheater. I have never cheated in my life. I am not that kind of a person. You won't find anyone more loyal than me. I think from my heart for my closed ones, always. I do not demand, I always give. When people don't know anything, but they keep blaming me, so you start thinking [otherwise]," the leg-spinner added.

"Because I have two sisters and have grown up with them since childhood, I know how to respect women, because my parents have taught me how to respect them. I've learnt my life lessons from people around me. It is not necessary that if my name is being linked up to someone, people get to write anything about it, only for views,” the Haryana-born commented.

Chahal and Dhanashree, who tied the knot in December 2020, legally ended their marriage on March 20, 2025. He last played for India in August 2023 before falling out of contention due to increased competition around the national cricketing system.