In an emotional and candid revelation, Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal opened up about his struggles with alcohol, severe anxiety, and the impact his divorce had on both his personal and professional life.
Speaking to former Indian opener Aakash Chopra on the ‘Baith and Bol’ podcast, Yuzvendra Chahal shared that these challenges reached a point where he had to spend 26 days in a rehabilitation center to regain control of his life.
Yuzvendra Chahal explained that he began drinking occasionally early in his IPL career—around 2011—but the situation spiraled out of control following his divorce. Constant public scrutiny on social media, combined with a heavy emotional burden, led to a rapid decline in his mental health.
“Things had gone too far” – Yuzvendra Chahal
In his conversation with Aakash Chopra on the ‘Baith and Bol’ podcast, Chahal remarked, “It had become too much. Things had gone too far. I went to a rehab center, where I stayed for 26 days. Now, I know how to manage alcohol consumption, what to do, and how things work.”
Following his divorce, Yuzvendra Chahal’s personal life became a subject of public discussion, which took a toll on his mental state and his cricket. The persistent scrutiny and commentary surrounding his private life placed immense pressure on him. That year, he took a break from the sport, playing only two ‘white-ball’ matches; he opted to stay away from T20 fixtures due to concerns regarding his mental well-being.
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After his recovery, Yuzvendra Chahal credited his family and his best friend for standing firmly by his side during that difficult period. Following his time in rehabilitation, he felt physically rejuvenated during the last IPL season, allowing him to engage fully in training, gym sessions, and fielding drills with renewed energy. He also mentioned that there has been a significant improvement in his emotional maturity.
