Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal – Attacking Legspinner From India
Yuzvendra Chahal is one of India’s most distinctive leg-spin bowlers, widely respected for his deceptive flight, clever changes of pace, and sharp cricketing instincts. What sets him apart from many of his peers is his unusual background: before choosing cricket as his full-time profession, Chahal competed seriously in chess, a game that played a major role in shaping his analytical approach and on-field awareness.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Early Life And Professional Journey
Born on 23 July 1990 in the town of Jind, Haryana, Yuzvendra Singh Chahal grew up in a middle-class household where discipline and structure were part of everyday life. His father, a practicing lawyer, had also been involved in sports during his youth, playing both chess and cricket at an amateur level. This blend of academics and athletics strongly influenced Yuzvendra’s upbringing, instilling in him a methodical mindset and a strong work ethic from an early age.
During his teenage years, Yuzvendra Chahal divided his time between two demanding pursuits: competitive chess and organized cricket. He trained at local academies, spending long hours either studying positions on the chessboard or refining his bowling action in the nets. Eventually, financial constraints made it clear that supporting two sporting careers simultaneously was unrealistic. After careful consideration, his family decided that cricket offered greater long-term opportunities, and Yuzvendra committed fully to the sport.
His first real breakthrough came at the junior level. Representing Haryana at the 2009 Cooch Behar Trophy, Chahal delivered a standout performance, claiming 34 wickets and emerging as the tournament’s most effective bowler. This run of form put him firmly on the radar of IPL scouts. In 2011, he was picked up by the Mumbai Indians, where he gained valuable experience in a star-studded squad. Although his appearances were limited, his spell of 2 wickets for 9 runs in the Champions League T20 final against Royal Challengers Bangalore proved decisive and helped Mumbai secure the title.
Chahal’s career trajectory changed significantly after joining Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014. Over the next eight seasons, he evolved into the backbone of the franchise’s bowling attack. With 139 wickets in 113 matches, he became RCB’s most successful bowler and one of the most consistent performers in the league. His excellent IPL form in 2015 opened the door to international cricket, and in June 2016 he made his debut for India in both ODI and T20I formats.
Across his international white-ball career, Yuzvendra Chahal featured in 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is, collecting 121 and 96 wickets respectively. Known for thriving under pressure, he repeatedly delivered in crucial middle overs and built a reputation as a dependable match-winner. Among his most notable career highlights are:
- A tournament-leading 34 wickets at the 2009 Cooch Behar Trophy;
- Match figures of 3/25 against Zimbabwe in Harare on 13 June 2016, earning him Man of the Match honours;
- A historic 6/25 in a T20I on 1 February 2017, making him the first Indian bowler to take six wickets in a single T20I innings;
- Finishing the IPL 2025 season as the tournament’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 221 wickets;
- Recording two IPL hat-tricks, achieved in 2022 and again in 2025.
Chahal last represented India at the international level in August 2023 during a T20I series against the West Indies, where he picked up five wickets across five matches. With younger bowlers pushing for selection, his chances of a national comeback in 2026 remain uncertain. Nevertheless, his experience and skill continue to be highly valued. In 2026, Yuzvendra Chahal remains an important player for Punjab Kings in the IPL and continues to compete in domestic cricket for Haryana.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Personal Life And Off-Field Interests
In 2020, Yuzvendra Chahal married Dubai-based choreographer Dhanashree Verma. Their relationship began during the COVID-19 lockdown period, when Chahal enrolled in online dance classes conducted by Verma. Despite the public attention surrounding their marriage, the relationship eventually came to an end, and the couple finalized their divorce in 2025.
Beyond cricket, Chahal’s life includes a number of lesser-known details and achievements:
- He was crowned national champion in the Under-12 category at the 16th National Children’s Chess Championship held in Kolkata in 2002;
- Family plays a central role in his life. And after achieving financial stability, he built a luxury home in Gurugram and relocated his parents there from Jind;
- He is an avid football supporter, with a strong preference for Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo;
- His cricketing inspirations include Shane Warne, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Kevin Pietersen;
- On the field, he is widely known by the nicknames “Yuzi” and “Tilli,” while close friends jokingly refer to him as “Single Haddi” due to his slender build;
- In his downtime, Chahal enjoys streaming series on Netflix and watching films, which he says helps him relax and reset mentally.
Yuzvendra Chahal is highly active on social media. His Instagram account (@yuzi_chanal23), followed by over 10 million users, showcases match highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and personal snapshots. He is also present on X (@yuzi_chahal), where his audience numbers around 4 million followers.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls bowled | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl | Catches |
| ODI | 72 | 77 | 8.56 | 18 | 3 739 | 121 | 27.13 | 6/42 | 31 |
| T20I | 80 | 6 | 3.00 | 3 | 1 764 | 96 | 25.09 | 6/25 | 19 |
| T20s | 329 | 81 | 4.50 | 10 | 7 031 | 384 | 23.61 | 6/25 | 74 |
| List A | 145 | 315 | 10.86 | 24 | 7 134 | 225 | 25.60 | 6/24 | – |
| FC | 44 | 445 | 9.67 | 48 | 8 444 | 127 | 34.94 | 8/39 | 24 |
