Yuzvendra Chahal recently opened up about a heart-wrenching moment in Indian cricket history — the 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand. Speaking on the Figuring Out With Raj Shamani podcast, Chahal recalled how the Indian dressing room was filled with tears after the narrow loss. One of the most emotional sights, he shared, was seeing Virat Kohli crying in the bathroom.
As Chahal walked past him as the last Indian batter to be dismissed, he noticed Kohli still had tears in his eyes. The mood in the dressing room was somber, and Chahal said almost every player was in tears, reflecting the pain of a missed World Cup opportunity. The team’s dreams had been shattered despite a strong run in the tournament, and the emotions ran deep.
“I love how Rohit bhaiya carries himself on the ground. He’s a very good captain. With Virat bhaiya, it’s the energy he brings, the same energy every day. It will only go up and never down. Same energy. Every day,” Chahal said on the Figuring Out With Raj Shamani podcast.
“2019 World Cup, I saw him crying in the bathroom,” Chahal again said. “And then I was the last batter, when I was crossing him, he had tears in his eyes. In 2019, I saw everyone crying in the bathroom.”
Chahal Reflects on His Performance and Dhoni’s Farewell
Chahal also took a moment to reflect on his own performance in that crucial match. He admitted that he didn’t bowl his best, conceding 63 runs for just one wicket. Looking back, he feels he could have done better if he had stayed calmer during the game.
What made the moment even more significant for him was the fact that this was MS Dhoni’s final international match. The match ended with Dhoni being run out — a moment etched in every fan’s memory. Chahal expressed regret that he couldn’t contribute more meaningfully in what turned out to be a historic and emotional farewell for one of India’s greatest cricketers.
“It was Mahi bhai’s last match. I could have done better. I still regret that. I could have pushed myself a bit more, bowled a bit better, and leaked 10-15 fewer runs. But sometimes you are in that flow, it happens so quickly that you don’t get time to think. I thought if I was calmer I could have done even better. I gave my best but it was the semi-final, a bigger stage and you have to give your 10-15% extra,” he said.
Personal Struggles and Divorce Revelation
Beyond cricket, Chahal spoke candidly about personal issues, especially his divorce from Dhanashree Verma. He revealed that the separation, which became public in March 2025, had been in discussion since 2022. The couple, who married in December 2020, had been facing difficulties for some time.
Chahal strongly denied allegations of infidelity, stating that he is an extremely loyal person and would never cheat on anyone. He also mentioned the emotional toll the situation took on him, but affirmed that he is now in a better place. The interview showcased a more vulnerable and honest side of Chahal — both as a cricketer and as a person dealing with life’s ups and downs.
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