Early Life & Background
Yuzvendra Singh Chahal was born on 23 July 1990 in Jind, Haryana, to KK Chahal (an advocate) and Sunita Devi (a homemaker). From age six, he excelled in chess, even representing India in the World Youth Championship—a strategic skill that later influenced his spin bowling. He attended DAV Public School and Mahatma Gandhi College, balancing academics with sport. As a youth, Chahal shifted focus from chess to cricket, channeling his tactical mind into mastering the art of leg-spin.
Personal Traits & Lifestyle
Standing 5’6″, Chahal bowls right-arm leg break googly. His pitch intelligence, honed through chess, gives him an edge in reading batsmen’s moves. Personality-wise, he’s an extrovert with creative flair—analysing risks quickly and adapting under pressure, traits of an ENTP. Off the field, Chahal is light-hearted, playful on social media, and known for his dancing videos. Additionally, his tattoos—like a compass and anchor—symbolize personal resilience.
He often engages with fans on Instagram and Twitter, showing his humorous side and building strong relatability. A fitness enthusiast, Chahal incorporates strength training, flexibility workouts, and mental conditioning into his routine. His close friendships within the cricket fraternity, especially with former RCB teammates like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, are well-known and widely adored by fans. Chahal’s lively personality and professional discipline make him both entertaining and reliable.
Personal Life (Family, Marriage, etc.)
Chahal remains close to his two sisters, Geetanjali and Neel, and often mentions them in interviews and tattoos. On 22 December 2020, he married Dhanashree Verma—a choreographer, dentist, and YouTuber—but the couple divorced in March 2025.
Youth & Domestic Career
Chahal debuted for Haryana in first-class cricket in 2009–10. He gained prominence through his leg-spin in domestic circuits and soon earned a contract with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2011. While game time was limited initially, he picked up a crucial 2/9 in the Champions League final helping MI secure the trophy . He then moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2014, grew into a frontline spinner, and became known for match-winning performances, including a fifer in 2014 for Man of the Match . In 2023 and 2024, he played county cricket for Kent and Northamptonshire respectively, registering strong returns, like 5/14 in his Northants debut.
International Career
Chahal claimed his first India call-up in June 2016, debuting in both ODI and T20I formats during Zimbabwe tour . Highlights include:
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First Indian—and second ever—bowler to take a T20I six‑wicket haul (6/25 vs England, Feb 2017).
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First concussion substitute to win Man of the Match (T20I vs Australia, Dec 2020).
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6/42 in an ODI vs Australia at the MCG, Jan 2019—the best Indian spinner figure on Australian soil.
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Took 23 T20I wickets in 2017—most by any bowler.
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Selected in India’s squad for 2019 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup (India won, but he didn’t play).
Combined Career Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 72 | 69 | 3,739 | 3,283 | 121 | 27.13 | 5.26 | 30.9 |
| T20I | 80 | 79 | 1,764 | 2,409 | 96 | 25.09 | 8.19 | 18.3 |
| FC | 42 | 67 | 7,824 | 4,066 | 119 | 34.16 | 3.11 | 65.7 |
| List A | 138 | 132 | 6,798 | 5,456 | 219 | 24.91 | 4.81 | 31.0 |
IPL Career
Chahal’s IPL journey reflects consistent growth:
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2011–2013: Mumbai Indians—limited play, but part of CLT20-winning squad.
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2014–2021: RCB—stood out with key spells and hat-tricks. In 2022 RR hat-trick vs KKR and became first Indian to 300 T20 wickets.
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2022–2024: Rajasthan Royals—continued strong.
He set IPL history in April 2024, becoming the first bowler to reach 200 IPL wickets. In 2025, Punjab Kings bought him for ₹18 crore—the highest for any spinner. That season he took 16 wickets in 13 matches, including two four‑wicket hauls, despite playing through three fractures (ribs and finger). His 4/28 against KKR defended the lowest IPL total ever (111) on 15 April. Missed two late-season games with a finger injury but returned for playoffs.
Fitness, Injuries & Comebacks
Chahal’s 2025 IPL campaign showcased exceptional toughness. It was revealed that he bowled with three fractures, yet still delivered four‑wicket spells. He also had a finger injury late in the season but was managed carefully and returned for the playoffs . These challenges highlight his mental and physical resilience. His earlier injury history includes rest periods early in 2025, reflecting a rigorous pain-management and rehab approach .