Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has frequently stayed in the headlines more for his personal life than his cricketing exploits on the field. Recently, Chahal announced his retirement from first-class cricket, meaning he will now only feature in the ODI and T20 formats going forward. Although a return to the Indian national team currently appears unlikely, he continues making persistent efforts toward that goal, while also trying his hand at commentary during his free time.
Chahal recently appeared on a podcast hosted by former cricketer Aakash Chopra. During this candid conversation, he spoke extensively about his career, the turmoil in his personal life, and his struggles with alcohol addiction. Chahal revealed that his drinking problem had escalated to such an extent that he had to check himself into a rehabilitation center, where he spent 26 days before finally overcoming the habit. He stated that following county cricket last year, his alcohol consumption crossed all limits, prompting him to enter rehab, and he now understands how to manage it properly.
Recounting the timeline, Chahal shared in the podcast that his drinking issue began around 2011 when he started playing in the Indian Premier League, and it intensified further following his divorce. However, he added that after taking control of his addiction, he is now in a much happier space. He noted that deciding to quit alcohol brought a massive transformation to his life, increased his maturity, and left his emotions balanced. During the last IPL, his body even felt as though he had turned 30 years old all over again.
He credited his family and friends for helping him navigate through the most difficult phase of his life. Looking back at his youth, he mentioned how parties were frequent when he was younger and playing his debut IPL season in 2011. He recalled advice from AB de Villiers, who once told him that balance is the ultimate success mantra in life, adding that while it sounds simple, living by it is quite difficult.
Discussing the turmoil in his personal life, Chahal admitted that things crossed all thresholds following his divorce, leaving his mental state in a poor condition. He realized that if he continued down that exact path, he would end up destroying the thing he loved the most, which was cricket. That realization drove him to make the firm decision to give up alcohol entirely.
Addressing the fallout of his personal life playing out in public, Chahal stated that being a public figure often gives people the liberty to freely comment on private matters. He expressed how painful it felt when every single event in his life turned into an opportunity for public commentary, creating numerous hardships for him.
Detailing his struggles with anxiety, Chahal revealed that his panic attacks were accompanied by a racing heartbeat and physical symptoms that were hard to hide. During an attack, his face would contract and he would become unable to speak properly, while his lips would tighten and pull to one side, making it obvious to people around him that something was deeply wrong.
