India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has opened up about one of the most difficult phases of his life, revealing how excessive alcohol consumption, emotional struggles following his divorce and severe anxiety affected his personal well-being and cricket career. The veteran spinner said he eventually decided to seek professional help and spent 26 days at a rehabilitation centre to regain control of his life.
Known for his sharp leg-spin, competitive attitude and cheerful personality, Chahal has built a reputation as one of the most successful bowlers in Indian Premier League history. However, his recent conversation with former India opener Aakash Chopra offered a different perspective on the cricketer, highlighting the personal battles he faced away from the cricket field.
During the podcast, Chahal explained that his alcohol consumption became excessive during a difficult period in his personal life. He eventually recognised that continuing along the same path could damage his health, happiness and cricket career.
His candid admission has brought renewed attention to the importance of mental health in professional sport, where players often face enormous pressure to perform while dealing with personal challenges away from the public eye.
Yuzvendra Chahal reveals why he checked into rehab for 26 days
Speaking to Aakash Chopra, Chahal revealed that his decision to seek rehabilitation came after his county cricket stint last year. He admitted that his drinking had crossed the limits and that he needed to make a serious change.
“Things got excessive after my divorce, and my mental state was not that great,” Chahal explained during the conversation.
The leg-spinner said he realised that his habits could eventually affect the one thing he valued most: cricket. Rather than allowing the situation to worsen, he decided to take responsibility and seek professional support.
Chahal spent 26 days at a rehabilitation centre, a decision he described as a major turning point in his life. He said the experience helped him develop greater maturity, understand his emotions and establish a healthier approach to his daily routine.
The cricketer also spoke about the physical benefits of making those changes. He explained that during the following IPL season, he felt fitter and more energetic, allowing him to focus on gym sessions, fielding drills and regular training.
For a professional athlete, maintaining physical conditioning is essential, but Chahal’s experience also underlined how emotional well-being can influence preparation, concentration and performance.
His decision to speak openly about rehabilitation may also encourage others who are struggling with unhealthy habits to seek appropriate support rather than dealing with their problems alone.
How alcohol consumption became excessive after divorce
Chahal explained that alcohol had initially been part of the social environment he encountered as a young cricketer. He entered the IPL in 2011, when he was beginning to establish himself in professional cricket and experiencing the lifestyle that came with playing at the highest level.
He recalled advice from former South African batter AB de Villiers, who once told him that maintaining balance in life was essential.
Although the message sounded straightforward, Chahal acknowledged that putting it into practice was not always easy. As his personal circumstances became more difficult, his alcohol consumption increased beyond what he considered manageable.
His divorce added to the emotional pressure he was experiencing. Chahal said his mental state deteriorated during that period, eventually forcing him to confront the consequences of his behaviour.
The important change came when he recognised that his personal struggles could threaten his long-term future in cricket. He decided that he did not want to lose the sport he loved because of his own circumstances.
Chahal subsequently said he was in a much happier place and had developed a better understanding of how to manage his emotions.
His account illustrates that even successful athletes can experience difficult periods in their personal lives. Public recognition, professional achievements and financial success do not automatically protect someone from emotional distress or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Yuzvendra Chahal opens up about anxiety and panic attacks
One of the most revealing parts of the conversation concerned the anxiety and panic attacks Chahal experienced while dealing with intense personal pressure.
The spinner explained that his personal life became a subject of public discussion, leaving him to navigate emotional difficulties while people continued to comment on his circumstances.
He admitted that the situation affected his cricket as well. During that period, he played only two white-ball matches in the year and did not feature in T20 internationals because he did not feel mentally prepared to perform at his best.
Chahal said he spoke to Anirudh sir and requested a break, receiving support during a period when he needed time to recover.
He also described the physical symptoms he experienced during panic attacks. According to the spinner, his heartbeat would increase, his face would appear to change, and he sometimes struggled to speak normally. He said his lip would tighten and pull to one side, making it noticeable to people around him that something was wrong.
The experience made him realise how intense anxiety could become.
For athletes competing at an elite level, mental readiness can be just as important as physical fitness. Concentration, decision-making and confidence all play significant roles in competitive sport, particularly in cricket, where a single delivery can change the direction of a match.
Chahal’s decision to acknowledge these difficulties provides a reminder that mental health challenges should not be dismissed simply because someone appears confident or successful in public.
He also recognised that social media criticism was something he could not completely control. Instead of continuing to carry the emotional burden, he decided to focus on rebuilding his life and returning his attention to cricket.
How Punjab Kings helped Chahal regain confidence
Chahal also discussed the responsibility he felt after joining Punjab Kings, who invested heavily in securing his services for the IPL.
Punjab Kings signed the leg-spinner for Rs 18 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL season. Chahal said the franchise’s confidence in him motivated him to prove his value and contribute to the team’s success.
He recalled a match against Kolkata Knight Riders in which Punjab Kings were defending a target of just 112 runs. The contest became an important moment for him, reinforcing the need to step up when the team required his experience and bowling skills.
The match highlighted the importance of composure and belief in pressure situations. Defending a modest total leaves little room for error, particularly against a batting line-up capable of scoring quickly.
For Chahal, returning to the field was about more than taking wickets. It was also an opportunity to rebuild his confidence, reconnect with the game and demonstrate that he could continue performing at the highest level despite the difficulties he had experienced.
His story is a reminder that recovery is not always a straight path. Personal challenges can affect professional performance, but the right support, healthier habits and a renewed sense of purpose can help people move forward.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s IPL record remains exceptional
Despite the difficult period he described, Chahal remains one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history. His record of 233 wickets in 188 matches, as cited in the interview report, places him at the top of the competition’s all-time wicket-taking list.
His achievements have come through years of consistency, tactical awareness and the ability to deceive batters with variations in flight, pace and turn.
Chahal has also represented India in limited-overs cricket, claiming 121 wickets in 72 ODIs and 96 wickets in 80 T20 internationals, according to the career figures provided in the report. He has not made his Test debut.
His journey demonstrates the contrast between the public image of a successful international cricketer and the personal difficulties that can remain hidden from supporters.
The leg-spinner’s willingness to discuss alcohol addiction, anxiety and rehabilitation has added another dimension to his story. Rather than presenting success as a life without setbacks, he has spoken about recognising a problem, asking for help and making changes.
Chahal’s experience also highlights the importance of avoiding assumptions about a person’s well-being based on their public personality. A player who entertains fans on the field may still be dealing with challenges that are not immediately visible.
As Chahal continues his cricketing journey, his account serves as a reminder that protecting one’s health and seeking help when necessary are important parts of long-term success.
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