Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has recently addressed the media and his fans, opening up about his divorce from Dhanashree Verma and the message behind his "Be Your Own Sugar Daddy" T-shirt. The divorce, which was finalized on March 20, 2025, had been a topic of much speculation, and Chahal's recent statements shed light on the reasons behind the separation and the emotional turmoil he experienced.
Chahal revealed that the decision to divorce was not sudden but rather a gradual one, with the couple privately struggling for a long time. He admitted that they had hoped things might improve and maintained a public image while privately dealing with their issues. "It was going on for a long time," Chahal said in a recent podcast interview. "We decided that we don't want to show the people until it happens, because on the other hand, maybe we would not have separated... We were like a normal couple on social media". He confessed to "faking" the marriage in the hope that things would eventually work out.
The cricketer cited conflicting careers and the inability to spend quality time together as key factors that contributed to the breakdown of their marriage. He described marriage as a "compromise" and noted that their respective professional commitments left little room for their personal lives. "Elaborating further, Chahal shared that both he and Dhanashree were caught up in their respective careers—his packed cricket schedule and her professional commitments left little room for personal time, " it was mentioned. He added that mismatched personalities and differences in nature can sometimes create friction, ultimately leading to conflict.
Chahal also addressed the rumors of infidelity that surfaced after the divorce announcement. He vehemently denied these allegations, stating, "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". He emphasized the importance of respecting women, a value instilled in him by his parents and upbringing with two sisters.
The cricketer also spoke about the emotional and mental health challenges he faced during this difficult period. He admitted to struggling with suicidal thoughts and only sleeping for two hours a day for a month. "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," Chahal confessed. He revealed that the mental strain made it difficult for him to concentrate on cricket, and he needed a break from the sport.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the divorce was Chahal's choice of attire during one of the court appearances: a T-shirt with the slogan "Be Your Own Sugar Daddy". This sparked considerable discussion and speculation on social media, and Chahal has now explained the reason behind it. He stated that he didn't initially intend to create any drama, but "something happened from the other side," prompting him to send a message. "I just wanted to give one message and I gave it," Chahal said. He clarified that he wasn't trying to abuse anyone but simply wanted to assert his independence and self-reliance. "Kyunki saamne se kuch cheej hua tha, aur mera pehle mann nahi tha. Fir saamne se kuch hua toh fir mai ne kaaha ab sambhaal lo ab mujhe nahi parwah kisi ki. Mai ne na kisi ko abuse kra, bus mujhe message dena tha," Chahal stated.
Despite the pain and challenges of the divorce, Chahal emphasized that the separation was peaceful and mutual. He revealed that he and Dhanashree have not spoken since the 2024 World Cup and last saw each other six months ago via video call for a court hearing. He also expressed his hope to fall in love again but admitted to being scared of social media's impact on his female friends, fearing they would be unfairly targeted.
Yuzvendra Chahal, born on July 23, 1990, is not only a cricketer but also a former chess player who represented India internationally. As a leg-break bowler, he has played for the Indian national team in white-ball cricket and has also represented Haryana in domestic cricket and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. In IPL 2025, the KXIP franchise acquired Chahal's services for Rs 18.00 Cr.
