Veteran Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has shared a deeply emotional and personal account of the Indian cricket team’s dressing room atmosphere following their heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in the 2019 ICC World Cup semi-final. In a candid conversation on the “Figuring Out With Raj Shamani” podcast, Chahal revealed that the defeat left almost every player, including former captain Virat Kohli, in tears.
India lost the rain-affected semi-final by 18 runs after being bowled out while chasing a modest target of 240. Chahal, who was part of the playing XI, admitted the memory remains etched in his mind and continues to haunt him. He vividly recalled the overwhelming emotions in the dressing room and particularly a poignant moment involving Virat Kohli.
“2019 World Cup, I saw him [Virat] crying in the bathroom,” Chahal shared. “I was the last batter, and when I was crossing him, I noticed tears in his eyes. That day, I saw almost every player crying in the bathroom. It was an emotional scene — we were all broken.”
The leg-spinner also reflected on his own performance in that crucial match, expressing regret over the 63 runs he conceded in his 10 overs while taking just one wicket. “It was Mahi bhai’s [MS Dhoni’s] last match. I could have done better. I still regret that. I wish I had been calmer, maybe I could have given 10-15 runs less,” he said. “It was the semi-final, a big stage. You have to give that extra 10-15 percent.”
Speaking about the difference in captaincy styles between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Chahal praised both for their unique leadership traits. “Rohit bhaiya carries himself with calm and composure on the field. Virat bhaiya brings unmatched energy. Every day, it’s the same passion with him—it never dips,” he said.
Chahal also opened up about his personal life, particularly his divorce from choreographer and social media personality Dhanashree Verma. The couple, who tied the knot in December 2020, officially ended their marriage in March 2025 after filing for divorce by mutual consent earlier in February. According to Chahal, the two had been emotionally distant for several months before the legal separation.
“I hadn’t seen her for a very long time,” he revealed. “The last time I saw her was during a video call through our lawyers. That was it—no messages, no contact after that. Even before the divorce, we hadn’t been speaking much for about six to seven months. Only formal communication when absolutely necessary.”
He added that the final disconnect began after the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite their separation, Chahal did not express any bitterness, keeping his tone factual and focused on moving forward in both his personal and professional life.
Chahal’s revelations provide fans with a rare glimpse into the high-pressure world of international cricket and the personal toll it can take on athletes both on and off the field.
