Yuzvendra Singh Chahal, fondly known as “Yuzi,” is one of India’s most celebrated leg-spin bowlers, renowned for his crafty bowling and ability to outsmart batsmen in limited-overs cricket. Born on July 23, 1990, in Jind, Haryana, Chahal’s journey is unique, as he is the only Indian to have represented the country in both cricket and chess at the international level. From his early days as a chess prodigy to becoming the first Indian bowler to take 200 wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chahal’s story is one of talent, perseverance, and versatility.
Early Life and Family Background
Yuzvendra Chahal was born into a middle-class family in Jind, Haryana, a small town in northern India. His father, K.K. Chahal, is an advocate practicing in Jind, while his mother, Sunita Devi, is a homemaker. Chahal has two elder sisters, Geetanjali Chahal and Neel Chahal, both of whom are settled in Australia. Growing up in Patiala Chowk, Jind, Yuzvendra was a mischievous child with a passion for both chess and cricket, as noted by his mother in an interview with The Times of India. His father, a former university-level cricketer, played a significant role in nurturing his early interest in sports.
Chahal’s early nickname among friends was “single haddi” (single bone) due to his lean physique, a trait that would later complement his agile bowling action. His family provided a supportive environment, encouraging him to pursue his interests in both chess and cricket from a young age.
Education
Yuzvendra completed his schooling at DAV Public School in Jind, Haryana. While academic details about his higher education are sparse, his focus shifted to sports early in life. His intellectual sharpness, honed through years of playing chess, helped him develop strategic thinking, which later became a hallmark of his bowling approach.
Chess Career: A Prodigy’s Beginnings
At the age of seven, Chahal developed a keen interest in chess, a game that would shape his analytical mindset. He excelled in age-group tournaments, becoming the National Junior Champion (Under-12) in chess and representing India at the World Youth Chess Championship in 2003 in Greece. His overall chess career rating was 1946, and he is still listed on the official World Chess Federation (FIDE) website. As of February 2025, his national ranking in India was 1,967, with an Asian ranking of 18,641 and a global ranking of 83,544.
Despite his success, Chahal faced challenges in pursuing chess professionally due to the high costs associated with the sport and difficulty in securing sponsors. This financial barrier led him to gradually shift his focus to cricket, a decision that would change the course of his life. Chahal himself has noted that playing chess helped him develop patience, control his temper, and read opponents’ minds—skills that translated seamlessly into his cricketing career.
Cricket Career: From Medium-Pacer to Leg-Spinner
Early Days and Domestic Cricket
Chahal’s cricketing journey began as a medium-fast bowler, but his slight frame prompted him to switch to leg-spin, a decision that proved pivotal. He made his first-class debut for Haryana against Madhya Pradesh in Indore in November 2009 at the age of 19. The same year, he caught attention by taking 34 wickets in the National Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Chahal has played 35 first-class matches, taking 96 wickets, and 137 List A games, claiming 214 wickets. His domestic performances for Haryana in the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments laid the foundation for his entry into the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Indian Premier League (IPL) Journey
Mumbai Indians (2011–2013)
Chahal’s IPL career began in 2011 when he was signed by Mumbai Indians. However, opportunities were scarce, and he played only one IPL match across three seasons, against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 24, 2011. Despite limited game time, he featured in all matches of the 2011 Champions League Twenty20, notably starring in the final with figures of 2/9 in three overs, helping Mumbai clinch the title.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (2014–2021)
Chahal’s career took off when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bought him for his base price of ₹10 lakh in the 2014 IPL auction. Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, Chahal became a linchpin of RCB’s bowling attack. In his first full IPL season, he played all 14 league games, taking 12 wickets and earning a nomination for the Emerging Player of the Year award, though he lost to Axar Patel.
Over eight seasons with RCB (2014–2021), Chahal played 113 matches, taking 139 wickets, including a best of 4/25. In 2015 and 2016, he took 44 wickets combined, establishing himself as RCB’s go-to bowler in crunch situations. In 2018, he surpassed Vinay Kumar to become RCB’s leading wicket-taker. RCB reached the IPL final in 2016, but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chahal was retained by RCB via the Right-to-Match (RTM) card for ₹6 crore in the 2018 auction.
Rajasthan Royals (2022–2024)
In the 2022 IPL mega auction, Chahal was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for ₹6.5 crore. His stint with Royals was highly successful, as he took 27 wickets in the 2022 season at an economy rate of 7.75, winning the Purple Cap as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. On April 18, 2022, he achieved a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul against Kolkata Knight Riders, a standout performance. In 2023, he surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become the IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker and became the first Indian to take 300 T20 wickets during Rajasthan’s opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In April 2024, Chahal made history by becoming the first bowler to take 200 IPL wickets, a milestone achieved during a match against Mumbai Indians. Rajasthan Royals reached the IPL final in 2022 but lost to Gujarat Titans.
Punjab Kings (2025)
In the 2025 IPL auction, Chahal became the costliest spinner in IPL history when Punjab Kings purchased him for ₹18 crore. As of April 2025, he has played 166 IPL matches, taking 211 wickets at an average of 22.73, with a best of 5/40 and an economy rate of 7.92. His performances continue to make him a vital asset for Punjab Kings.
International Cricket Career
Debut and Early Success
Chahal’s international debut came during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2016. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut on June 11, 2016, against Zimbabwe in Harare, and his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut a week later on June 18, 2016, claiming Malcolm Waller as his first T20I wicket. In his second ODI, he took 3/25, earning his first Player of the Match award.
Breakthrough Performances
Chahal’s defining moment came on February 1, 2017, when he became the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20Is, finishing with figures of 6/25 against England in Bengaluru. This performance, which included the third-best bowling figures in T20I history at the time, also made him the first leg-spinner to take both a five-wicket and six-wicket haul in T20Is. In 2017, he took 23 wickets in T20Is, the most by any bowler that year.
In December 2020, Chahal made history as the first concussion substitute to win the Player of the Match award in an international match. Replacing Ravindra Jadeja in a T20I against Australia, he bowled a match-winning spell, earning widespread acclaim.
World Cup and Milestones
Chahal was part of India’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, where he took 12 wickets. In November 2019, he became the third Indian bowler to take 50 T20I wickets, achieving the feat against Bangladesh. In February 2022, he claimed his 100th ODI wicket against West Indies. As of 2025, Chahal has played 72 ODIs, taking 121 wickets at an average of 27.13 (best: 6/42), and 80 T20Is, taking 96 wickets at an average of 25.09 (best: 6/25).
Chahal was named in India’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which India won, though he did not feature in any matches. Despite occasional exclusions, such as missing the 2021 T20 World Cup, his consistent IPL performances have kept him in contention.
County Cricket
Chahal ventured into English county cricket in September 2023, signing with Kent for the final three matches of the 2023 County Championship season. He claimed three wickets against Nottinghamshire. In August 2024, he joined Northamptonshire for the One-Day Cup, making an immediate impact with figures of 5/14 on debut against Kent, his former team.
Personal Life
Marriage to Dhanashree Verma
Chahal met Dhanashree Verma, a YouTuber, dance choreographer, and dentist, in 2020 when he enrolled in her online dance classes during the COVID-19 lockdown. The couple got engaged on August 8, 2020, and married in a private ceremony in Gurgaon on December 22, 2020. Their relationship was widely celebrated on social media, with the couple frequently sharing dance videos and glimpses of their life together.
However, in late 2024, rumors of trouble in their marriage surfaced after they unfollowed each other on Instagram, and Chahal deleted photos with Dhanashree from his account. On February 20, 2025, the couple officially filed for divorce. In March 2025, the Bombay High Court ordered Chahal to pay ₹4.75 crore in alimony to Dhanashree, of which ₹2.37 crore had already been paid. The court also waived the six-month cooling-off period, instructing a family court to finalize the divorce by March 20, 2025.
Dating Rumors
In March 2025, Chahal was linked to RJ Mahvash after they were spotted together in Dubai during the Champions Trophy final. A viral photo sparked dating rumors, but Mahvash denied the speculations in an April 2025 interview, stating she was single. Earlier, Chahal was rumored to have been in a relationship with actress Tanishka Kapoor, though no confirmation was provided.
Controversies
Chahal’s career has not been without controversy. In 2022, he revealed a disturbing incident from his time with Mumbai Indians in 2011, where a drunk teammate dangled him from a 15th-floor balcony. He also mentioned being tied up in a room by teammates Andrew Symonds and James Franklin. These revelations sparked calls for stricter player conduct regulations.
In 2022, a social media spat involving a teammate mocking his performances added to his off-field challenges. Additionally, his exclusion from the 2021 T20 World Cup squad despite strong IPL performances led to widespread debate among fans and analysts.
Achievements and Records
- First Indian to take a six-wicket haul in T20Is (6/25 vs. England, 2017).
- First Indian to take 200 IPL wickets (April 2024).
- First Indian to take 300 T20 wickets (2023, IPL).
- First concussion substitute to win Player of the Match in an international match (2020, vs. Australia).
- IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker (211 wickets as of April 2025).
- Most wickets in T20Is in a calendar year (23 wickets in 2017).
- Only player to represent India in both chess and cricket.
- Purple Cap winner in IPL 2022 (27 wickets).
- Best T20I bowling figures by an Indian (6/25).
Net Worth and Endorsements
As of 2025, Chahal’s net worth is estimated at ₹45–50 crore. His income sources include:
- IPL Salary: ₹18 crore per season with Punjab Kings (2025). Total IPL earnings over the years are approximately ₹38 crore.
- BCCI Match Fees: ₹15 lakh per Test (though he hasn’t played Tests), ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I.
- Endorsements: Chahal endorses brands like Nike, Noise, CEAT Tyres, Playing11, Acuvue, Clove Dental, FanCraze, and Porsche.
He owns luxury cars, including a Porsche Cayenne S (₹1.93 crore) and a Mercedes-Benz C-Class (₹55–66 lakh).
Hobbies and Interests
Chahal is known for his vibrant personality and love for engaging with fans on social media. His hobbies include:
- Playing Chess: He continues to enjoy chess recreationally.
- Travelling: A frequent traveler, he often shares glimpses of his trips.
- Food: He loves butter chicken, rajma-chawal, and fish.
- Entertainment: His favorite actors include Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Ileana D’Cruz, and Nargis Fakhri. He enjoys the movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and music by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. His favorite book is The 3 Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat.
- Cricketing Idols: He admires Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Kevin Pietersen, and Shane Warne, with Warne being his primary inspiration as a leg-spinner.
Personality Traits
Chahal is described as a person of action, with a strong sense of independence and a disdain for inefficiency. His chess background has endowed him with profound thinking and strategic planning abilities. He values honesty and is known for his studious nature, though he can be critical of those who don’t align with his views. Yoga and similar disciplines are recommended for him to balance his intense personality.
Legacy and Impact
Yuzvendra Chahal’s journey from a chess prodigy to a cricketing superstar is a testament to his adaptability and determination. His ability to transition from a niche sport like chess to mastering the art of leg-spin in cricket is unparalleled. As India’s leading T20I wicket-taker and the IPL’s most successful bowler, Chahal has redefined the role of wrist-spinners in modern cricket.
Despite personal and professional challenges, including high-profile exclusions and publicized personal life events, Chahal’s resilience and skill continue to inspire millions. His unique achievement of representing India in two vastly different sports—chess and cricket—sets him apart as a role model for aspiring athletes. As he continues his career with Punjab Kings and aims for more international milestones, Chahal remains a beloved figure in Indian cricket, known as much for his on-field wizardry as for his off-field charisma.
