Yuzvendra Chahal may no longer be a regular part of India’s international squads, but the leg-spinner still finds himself in the limelight for reasons that go far beyond cricket. From chatter on social media to speculation about his personal life and heated online debates involving Indian cricketers, Chahal remains firmly in the public eye – sometimes for reasons he’d prefer to avoid.
Over the years, the Haryana-born spinner has carved out an impressive career both in India and in the Indian Premier League, representing several franchises and establishing himself as one of the most effective players in the tournament. Still, as Chahal points out, visibility in modern sports comes with an inevitable downside.
Focused for the wrong reasons
Chahal says he has learned to live with public attention, even if it borders on intrusive, as long as it stays within reason.
“I don’t mind a bit if it’s about me, in a good, positive or even fun way,” he told India Today’s Salaam Cricket. “That’s part of the profession. You’re in the public eye and people will talk.”
The problem, he insists, begins when speculation begins to draw others into the narrative without their knowledge or consent.
“When you start attaching someone else’s name to it, that’s when it’s going to go wrong,” Chahal said. “They don’t know anything about it and suddenly they’re being discussed for no reason.”
Friends mistaken for rumours
Chahal emphasized how easily ordinary social interactions are poorly read, especially in a cricket-obsessed country where the personal lives of athletes are constantly under scrutiny.
“It’s not necessary that when a boy and a girl go out, they’re boyfriend and girlfriend or that there’s something going on,” he said. “Sometimes you just hang out with friends.
He recalled a recent visit to Mumbai—his first in months—when he decided to go out for dinner instead of staying at his hotel. What he describes as a routine trip quickly turned into speculation on the Internet.
“I don’t even know who invited me or how it became such a big deal,” he said. “I just went to dinner. That’s it.”
“I can adjust, but what about the family?”
While Chahal says he has developed a thick skin over time, he admits the rumors have an emotional toll — not on him, but on those closest to him.
“I can adapt. I don’t care,” he said. “But my sisters are there with me. My parents are there too. They read these things.”
For Chahal, that is where the line should be drawn. Unlike public figures, family members don’t sign up for scrutiny, but often end up dealing with the fallout of online gossip.
“How many things will you silence?” he asked. “If I start talking against everyone, I can do it. But how many people are you going to stop?”
Rather than confront every rumour, Chahal chose to ignore the noise altogether.
“Whoever wants to print it, let them print it,” he said. “I’m getting free advertising. I’m in the news for free. Leave it alone.”
The fan wars are going too far
Chahal also spoke about the wider culture of social media discourse around Indian cricket, where fan loyalty often turns into hostility towards other players.
“The problem in India is that when you want to support your own player, people say more about the other player,” he said. “Why compare? Support your own team first.”
According to Chahal, fans often forget that anyone who represents India — albeit briefly — he had already achieved something extraordinary.
“This is an Indian team, not a state team,” he said. “Even to play one match for India deserves respect. Just reaching that level is a struggle in itself.”
He also pointed to anonymity as a major driver of online abuse.
“It’s very easy on social media,” he said. “I can make a fake account and write ten things about you. I can keep writing. How many people are you going to answer?”
Choosing perspective over noise
Despite his departure from international cricket, Chahal remains a high-profile figure shaped by both his achievements and the scrutiny that comes with him. His approach is now rooted in perspective and confidence.
“I know what kind of person I am,” he said. “My family knows. My friends know. That’s enough for me.”
In an age where attention is instant and judgment unrelenting, Chahal’s words underscore a simple message: fame should not come at the expense of empathy, and public figures – like everyone else – deserve basic decency, on and off the field.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 6, 2026
