Yuzvendra Chahal has spoken about one of the toughest periods of his life. The Indian leg-spinner revealed how alcohol, anxiety attacks, and public discussion about his divorce kept him away from cricket. He also explained why he decided to seek help after realising that his personal problems could affect the sport he loves the most.
Speaking to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra on the Baith and Bol podcast, Chahal revealed that he spent 26 days at a rehabilitation centre after his drinking went too far. The 36-year-old also spoke about his divorce, the need to maintain balance in life, and the pressure of being a public figure.
His comments gave fans a closer look at the personal problems he faced during his cricket career. He also explained how anxiety affected his thinking and performances.
Yuzvendra Chahal Reveals Why He Spent 26 Days in Rehab
Yuzvendra Chahal admitted that his drinking habit had become a serious problem. He started partying during his younger years, but it slowly became a habit that affected his personal life and well-being.
“Jyaada ho gaya tha. Limit cross kardi thi (It got a bit too much. The limit was crossed),” Chahal explained while discussing his decision to enter a rehabilitation centre.
He spent 26 days at the centre and believes the experience changed his life. The spinner said he has become more mature and has learned to manage his habits better.
“I am much more mature. Now I don’t need that substance just to talk or function,” he said on Aakash Chopra’s Baith and Bol Podcast.
Chahal also explained how leaving the habit behind helped him improve his fitness. During the previous IPL season, he felt as if his body had returned to the condition it was in when he was 30 years old. He could focus better on gym sessions, fielding practice and training.
The spinner believes that removing this habit helped him bring more balance to his life. He also understood that he could improve his fitness and daily routine, even when his bowling was going well.
Divorce and Social Media Pressure Made Things More Difficult
Yuzvendra Chahal said his drinking problems started during his early IPL years, when he often partied as a young cricketer. However, things became harder after his divorce, as he was already going through a difficult time emotionally.
He also remembered the advice he received from former South Africa batter AB de Villiers, who told him how important it was to maintain balance in life.
“It sounds like a very easy word, but when you actually try to do it, balancing everything is extremely hard,” Chahal recalled.
The spinner admitted that he went too far during a difficult period in his personal life. Over time, he began to understand what could happen if he continued with the same habits.
“Then one day it hit me: If I keep doing this, the thing I love most, the reason I reached where I am today—my cricket—will never survive,” he said.
Chahal explained that his cricket did not suffer as much as his personal life. However, he felt he could have performed even better if he had followed a healthier lifestyle.
The public discussion about his divorce made things more difficult. As a well-known cricketer, he found that people freely discussed his personal life without knowing what he was going through privately.
“When you are a public figure you basically give everyone an invitation to comment on your personal life,” he said.
Chahal admitted that these comments affected him emotionally and also had an impact on his cricket. At one point, he felt he needed a break because he was not in the right frame of mind.
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Chahal Opens Up About Anxiety and Panic Attacks
The emotional pressure also led to anxiety and panic attacks. Chahal said he had not experienced such problems in the same way before.
He explained that these attacks sometimes affected his face and made it difficult for him to speak normally.
“Anxiety is like your heart starts beating really fast from the inside. My face used to shrink during a panic attack. I couldn’t even speak,” Chahal revealed.
He added that his lips sometimes became tight and pulled to one side. This made it easier for others to notice that something was wrong.
The experience was difficult for Chahal because he had usually considered himself mentally strong enough to handle outside pressure. However, his personal problems and the attention on social media affected him more than he expected.
He eventually realised that he could not continue dealing with the same emotional pressure. He decided to address his problems and slowly started moving forward.
“People on social media will keep on talking, you can’t shut them up. Let’s start fresh,” he said, explaining how his thinking changed.
His comments showed that a strong public image does not always reflect what a person is going through privately. Even international cricketers can face personal problems that fans may not see.
How an IPL Match Helped Yuzvendra Chahal Regain His Focus
Chahal also spoke about his difficult start to his first IPL season with Punjab Kings. The franchise had spent ₹18 crore to sign him, and he felt responsible for repaying the team’s trust.
His first four or five matches did not go as planned. He struggled to understand why he was not performing as he expected.
However, a match against Kolkata Knight Riders became an important moment for him. Punjab Kings had only 111 runs to defend, and Chahal delivered a strong performance. He took four wickets for 28 runs in his four overs.
During the match, he reminded himself of the trust his team had placed in him.
“I thought, ‘They are showing faith in you,’ and during that match, something clicked inside me,” he recalled.
The performance helped Chahal focus on his role again. Instead of allowing his personal problems to control his thoughts, he reminded himself that his teammates and franchise trusted him.
For Chahal, the match meant more than just taking wickets. It reminded him of his responsibility to give his best whenever he played for the team.
Yuzvendra Chahal Says He Is in a Better Place Now
Looking back at that difficult period, Yuzvendra Chahal said he is happier now and has found better ways to enjoy life. He mentioned activities such as go-karting and golf. He has also returned his focus to fitness and training.
Chahal decided to deal with his drinking problem after realising what he could lose if he continued with the same habits. The experience also changed how he looks at his emotions, personal life, and responsibilities.
His story shows that success in sports does not protect a person from personal problems. By speaking openly about rehabilitation, anxiety and public pressure, Chahal has also highlighted issues that many athletes may find difficult to discuss.
The biggest step for the spinner was recognising that he needed help and taking action to improve his life. As he explained on Chopra’s podcast, leaving his old habit behind helped him focus again on the sport that brought him success: cricket.
What are your thoughts on Chahal overcoming things? And will he be able to make a comeback in India colors in white-ball cricket? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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