IPL 2026 : Taniya Chatterjee reveals Yuzvendra Chahal’s private chat during paparazzi interaction

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The high-octane atmosphere of IPL 2026 has taken a dramatic turn away from the cricket pitch as veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal finds himself at the center of a social media firestorm. Currently representing Punjab Kings (PBKS), Chahal is making headlines not for his trademark flippers, but for an alleged Instagram direct message (DM) sent to actress and influencer Taniya Chatterjee. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced online showing Chatterjee displaying her private messages to the paparazzi, claiming the cricketer reached out to call her “cute.”

The incident unfolded during a recent media interaction where Chatterjee, known for her roles in popular OTT series like Gandii Baat and projects on the Ullu platform, was seen engaging with photographers. In the viral clip, she holds up her smartphone to show a conversation thread allegedly belonging to Chahal. According to Chatterjee, the India international viewed one of her videos and reacted with a simple message: “cute.”

When pressed by the paparazzi on whether she reciprocated the interest, Chatterjee maintained a casual stance. She noted that she noticed the message much later and did not offer an immediate reply.

“Being called cute is quite a normal thing; many people say it,” she remarked, seemingly downplaying the intent while simultaneously ensuring the exchange became public knowledge. As Chahal continues his campaign in IPL 2026 for Punjab, following a massive ₹18 crore acquisition last year, this off-field distraction comes at a sensitive time for the bowler, who became the first to cross the 200-wicket mark in IPL history.

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The revelation has sparked a polarized debate across social media platforms. A significant section of fans has criticized the leg-spinner, questioning the propriety of the interaction given his public stature. Conversely, many defenders argue that a one-word compliment is harmless and that the actress is sensationalizing a private exchange for clout. Discussions have also pivoted toward the ethics of privacy, with users debating whether showing private DMs to the media constitutes a breach of trust.

Adding weight to the controversy is the context of Chahal’s recent personal life. Many netizens pointed back to the high-profile divorce between Chahal and dancer Dhanashree Verma, which was finalized in early 2025. This latest ‘DM scandal’ mirrors a previous incident involving actress Khushi Mukherjee, who once claimed India captain Suryakumar Yadav messaged her frequently, a claim she later clarified by stating they were merely friends. As of now, neither Chahal nor the Punjab Kings management has issued an official statement regarding the claims made by Chatterjee. For now, the Purple Cap contender remains focused on his upcoming fixtures, though the digital noise continues to grow.

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