Full Name: Yuzvendra Singh Chahal
Born: 23 July 1990
Birthplace: Jind, Haryana, India
Role: Leg-Spin Bowler
Batting Style: Right-Handed
Bowling Style: Right-arm leg break
Nationality: Indian
Before dazzling the world with his spin, Yuzvendra Chahal was a prodigy on the chessboard. Representing India at the World Youth Chess Championships, Chahal was a national-level player. However, due to financial struggles and lack of sponsorship, he gave up professional chess and focused on cricket. Despite leaving the board behind, he remains the only cricketer listed on the official FIDE chess rankings.
Chahal began his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians in 2011, though he played just one match across three seasons. However, his breakthrough came in the 2011 Champions League T20, where he starred in the final with figures of 2/9 against RCB, helping Mumbai clinch the title.
2014: Bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹10 lakh. He became an integral part of their bowling lineup.
2018: Retained by RCB.
2022: Acquired by Rajasthan Royals. On April 18, he claimed a hat-trick and five-wicket haul against KKR.
2024: Became the first bowler in IPL history to reach 200 wickets.
2025: Joined Punjab Kings, where he helped defend the lowest total in IPL history (111) against KKR with a match-winning 4/28.
Chahal also played county cricket for Kent (2023) and Northamptonshire (2024), impressing with his control and variations.
ODI Debut: 11 June 2016 vs Zimbabwe
T20I Debut: 18 June 2016 vs Zimbabwe
Test Debut: Yet to debut
February 2017: Took 6/25 vs England, becoming the first Indian to claim a 6-wicket haul in T20Is.
2019: Part of the Cricket World Cup squad, finishing with 12 wickets.
January 2019: Recorded 6/42 vs Australia at MCG — one of the best ODI bowling performances by an Indian spinner in Australia.
2020: Became the first concussion substitute to win the Player of the Match award (vs Australia).
2022: Completed 100 ODI wickets.
2024: Named in the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, though he didn’t feature in the playing XI.
As of 2025, he holds the record for most T20I wickets by an Indian spinner.
First Indian to take 6 wickets in a T20I match
First concussion substitute to be named Player of the Match in international cricket
First bowler to take 200 IPL wickets
Only Indian to represent the country in both chess and cricket
Yuzvendra Chahal married Dhanashree Verma, a popular choreographer and YouTuber, in December 2020. However, the couple divorced in March 2025.
In 2022, Chahal revealed two troubling incidents:
He was once tied up and left alone in a hotel room by Andrew Symonds and James Franklin during his IPL stint with Mumbai Indians.
In another incident, a drunk teammate allegedly dangled him from the 15th-floor balcony, a story that sparked outrage and demands for action. Chahal did not publicly name the player.
Yuzvendra Chahal is not just a magician with the ball but a rare sporting talent who made India proud in two sports. With sharp game sense, wit, and resilience, he continues to be a force in white-ball cricket, setting benchmarks for future spinners.
Introduction Born on 23 July 1990 in Jind, Haryana, Yuzvendra Chahal has grown into one of India’s most celebrated leg-spin bowlers. He combines cricketing talent, a background in competitive chess, entrepreneurial ventures, and brand appeal to maintain a diverse financial portfolio. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at ₹45 crore (approximately USD 5.4…
