Veteran Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has candidly opened up about his personal struggles, revealing that he spent 26 days at a rehabilitation centre to overcome severe alcohol addiction following a difficult period in his personal life. The 36-year-old cricketer, who remains the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Indian Premier League, shared details of his mental health battles, anxiety, and panic attacks during a recent podcast appearance with former India opener Aakash Chopra.
Chahal admitted that his alcohol consumption crossed safe limits following his divorce and a turbulent phase of public scrutiny. Realizing that his professional career and the sport he loves were at stake, the bowler checked into a rehab facility after concluding his county cricket commitments. The decision proved to be a major turning point, helping him regain emotional balance and physical fitness ahead of subsequent domestic and franchise cricket seasons.
Key Highlights of Chahal’s Revelations
- Record Holder: Chahal tops the all-time IPL wicket-taking charts with 233 scalps across 188 matches.
- Rehab Stay: Checked into a rehabilitation center for 26 days after county cricket to address excessive alcohol consumption.
- Mental Health Struggles: Suffered from severe anxiety and physical panic attacks where his face would tighten and speech would stall due to intense stress and public scrutiny.
- Career Turnaround: Regained top fitness levels, later securing an 18 crore contract with Punjab Kings and delivering strong bowling performances.
Overcoming Panic Attacks and Public Scrutiny
During the candid conversation, the veteran spinner detailed how intense emotional stress manifested physically as panic attacks, affecting his speech and facial expressions. He explained that public commentary and media attention following his personal life events severely impacted his mental space and briefly disrupted his white-ball cricket commitments. Choosing to step away temporarily to protect team interests, Chahal eventually decided to block out social media noise and focus entirely on his game.
The redemption on the field was swift. Following his heavy backing in the auction by the Punjab Kings, Chahal channeled his focus back into training, gym work, and fielding drills. He noted that the massive trust placed in him by his franchise provided the mental clarity needed to leave his dark days behind. Now in a much happier space, the bowler continues to anchor his life around professional discipline, family support, and a renewed passion for competitive cricket.
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