21 Facts About Yuzvendra Chahal, The Indian Leg-break bowler

Did you know the leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who plays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL and represents India in T20Is and One Day Internationals (ODIs) also represented India in Chess internationally? The 31-year-old player is an outstanding player who was also the first Indian and second player to make a record of taking 6 wickets in T20I history.

Here are some interesting unknown facts about the player Yuzvendra Chahal:

1. Birthplace of Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal was born in Haryana, Jind district on 23 July 1990.

2. His childhood and family

From his childhood, he developed an interest in chess and cricket. Moreover, his father, KK Chahal used to play cricket at the University level, and was also an advocate in Jind. His family includes his father, mother, Sunita Devi, and his wife Dhanashree Verma.

3. Only player from Haryana to represent Chess and Cricket

He is the only player who has represented Haryana in Ranji Trophy and played chess and cricket for India at an International level.

4. Sports career in Chess

Unlike other cricketers, Chahal did not start his cricket career during his early days; his first priority was Chess. When he was seven, he started playing chess and learnt some tricks online.

5. Represented India in Chess

In 2002, Yuzvendra was National Chess Champion in U-12 and later he represented India in U-12 Asian Youth Championship organized at Kozhikode. Moreover, at World Youth Chess Championship, he played for India in Under-16 in Greece.

6. World Chess Federation rating

He is listed on the website of the World Chess Federation now and as per the latest rating, Chahal is at 1956.

7. Choosing Cricket over Chess

Unlike many parents, he had full support from his family, especially from his father but somehow due to the unavailability of any sponsor, he shifted his focus from chess to cricket.

8. His love for Football

A sportsperson who likes as well as plays sports, he also likes to play football along with chess and cricket. He supports Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo is his favorite player.

9. Hogs the limelight

When this leg-spinner played in Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy held in 2009, he took 34 wickets and become the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. This is the time when he attracted attention.

10. His first IPL match

In 2011, Chahal played for Mumbai Indian and that time Harbhajan Singh was the leading spinner but Chahal claimed 2 for 9 in Mumbai’s Champions League T20 victory the same year.

11. His debut

In 2009, Yuzvendra made his first-class entry by playing for Haryana against Indore.

12. The highest wicket-taker for RCB

In 2016, he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL and took the second-highest number of wickets. He helped RCB reach the finals where Chahal finished by taking 21 wickets.

13. Fan of Katrina Kaif

Like another normal person, he also likes Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif, especially her smile. In fact, he also wanted to date her.

14. The most prized wicket of his life

The most prized wicket of his life is Delhi Daredevils Skipper Kevin Pietersen.

15. He is a prankster

He describes himself as a funny person who likes to keep the atmosphere light.

16. Purple Cap holder

In IPL, Chahal took 19 wickets in 11 games with an average of 17.05 and became a purple cap holder. His bowling figure was 4/25 against Kings XI Punjab.

17. His T20I debut

on 18 June 2016, he made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut against Zimbabwe in Harare. His first wicket was Malcolm Waller in T20Is.

18. Became the first concussion substitute in international cricket history to win Man of the Match

Ravindra Jadeja was hurt in the first innings of a T20I match against Australia in 2020.

19. His 100th wicket

In the opening match against the West Indies, in February 2022, Chahal took his 100th wicket in ODI cricket.

20. Controversies

He revealed recently in 2022 that during his stint with the Mumbai Indians in IPL, a drunk teammate dangled him from a 15th-floor balcony. This revelation led to calls for strict action. He had also mentioned earlier that he had been tied up in a room by Andrew Symonds and James Franklin during an after-party.

21. Chahal’s Wife

On 8 August 2020, Chahal married Dhanashree Verma in a private ceremony who is a dentist, dance choreographer, and popular Youtuber.