Yuzvendra Chahal recalls emotional moment seeing Virat Kohli crying in the bathroom
Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on 2019 World Cup heartbreak, seeing Virat Kohli in tears, captaincy comparisons and his personal struggles post-divorce.
New Delhi: Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal in his recent appearance on a YouTube podcast with Raj Shamani opened up like never before. While most headlines have been focused on his ongoing divorce and personal life, it was his heartfelt stories from the Indian dressing room that struck a chord with fans.
One moment in particular that stood out was when he shared the insights of the night when India crashed out of the 2019 World Cup and how he saw King Kohli breaking down in the bathroom.
Speaking about the semi-final loss to New Zealand, Chahal described how devastating it was for the entire team. The match had stretched to a reserve day, and the narrow defeat shattered India's hopes of lifting the trophy. That was MS Dhoni’s last match, and Chahal felt they could have bowled better to get the job done. He was the last man to walk off the field, and in that moment, he saw something that stayed with him.
As he said, 2019 World Cup, I saw him crying in the bathroom. And then when I saw the last batter, I crossed him and saw tears in his eyes." He added that many players were inconsolable in the dressing room that night, a testament to just how much the World Cup meant to him.
Comparing Kohli and Rohit's leadership
During the interview he also shared the insights about playing under Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's leadership. He spoke with genuine admiration for India's two most influential captains.
Chahal said, "Rohit bhaiya carries himself calmly on the ground. He’s a great captain. But with Virat bhaiya, it’s the energy. Same energy every single day and it only goes up.” With that he expressed Kohli's relentless drive and presence on the field.
On divorce, loyalty and false accusations
Apart from cricket, Chahal also addressed his personal life especially his separation from wife Dhanashree. Without naming names or getting too deep, he clarified that cheating allegations against him were baseless. "I’ve never cheated in my life,” he said firmly. He added, "You won't find anyone more loyal than me. I think from my heart for my closed ones, always, I do not demand, I always give. When people don't know anything but keep blaming, so you start thinking (otherwise)."