Yuzvendra Chahal, who has recently struggled to secure a spot in India’s white-ball teams, was once again left out of Haryana’s squad for the knockout stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The decision coincided with ongoing rumors about his personal life, specifically a potential divorce from his wife, Dhanashree Verma.
Chahal’s Omission from the Squad
Chahal was not included in Haryana’s team for the group stage of the tournament, where the defending champions finished second in Group A with six wins from seven matches. Despite their strong performance, Chahal was not recalled for the knockout rounds, where Haryana is set to face Bengal in the preliminary quarterfinals at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on January 9.
The Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) addressed the decision, emphasizing that it was based purely on cricketing considerations.
“We made this decision in consultation with him, as we aim to groom young talent for the future,” an HCA official told Cricbuzz. “Parth Vats, a leg-spin all-rounder, has been introduced at this stage.”
Divorce Rumors and Social Media Speculation
Speculation about Chahal’s personal life began when fans noticed that he had removed pictures with his wife, Dhanashree Verma, from Instagram and unfollowed her. Dhanashree, however, still retained photos of the cricketer on her account.
Amidst growing rumors, Dhanashree broke her silence with a strongly worded Instagram story, condemning the baseless claims and online trolling.
“The past few days have been incredibly tough for my family and me. What’s upsetting is the baseless writing and character assassination by faceless trolls spreading hate,” she wrote.
Dhanashree stressed that she has worked hard to build her name and reputation and criticized the spread of negativity online.
“My silence is not a sign of weakness but of strength. While negativity spreads easily, it takes courage and compassion to uplift others. I choose to focus on my truth and move forward, holding onto my values.”
Looking Ahead
While Chahal’s exclusion from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad might raise eyebrows, the HCA has reiterated that the decision is part of a broader strategy to develop young talent. Meanwhile, both Chahal and Dhanashree have chosen to maintain their focus on personal growth and positivity amid public speculation.
