Yuzvendra Chahal recently made a "stunning revelation" about Virat Kohli, sharing an untold story from the aftermath of India's defeat in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. In a recent podcast, Chahal opened up about witnessing Kohli in tears after the heartbreaking loss to New Zealand.
Chahal recalled the emotional scene in the dressing room following the match, stating that he saw Kohli crying in the bathroom. He further added, "And then I was the last batter, when I was crossing him, he had tears in his eyes. In 2019, I saw everyone crying in the bathroom". India, after a strong performance in the group stage, fell short while chasing 240 runs, losing the crucial match by 18 runs. Kohli was dismissed for just 1 run. The loss was particularly devastating as it also marked the end of MS Dhoni's international career.
Chahal, reflecting on his own performance in the semi-final, expressed regret for not being able to contribute more. He admitted to being unsatisfied with his performance, feeling he could have bowled better and conceded fewer runs. He took one wicket while giving away 63 runs in 10 overs. "I could have pushed myself a bit more, bowled a bit better, and leaked 10-15 fewer runs," Chahal lamented.
Despite playing for different teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the bond between Chahal and Kohli remains strong. Chahal has often referred to Kohli as his "Virat bhaiya," highlighting the respect and affection he holds for the former Indian captain. Even when facing off in the IPL, their camaraderie is evident.
Chahal has spoken about Kohli's positive influence on him, particularly during his time with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He has said that Kohli's positive energy is constant and motivating. "The energy that he brings every day, it never goes down. It only goes up - every day till the last ball," Chahal mentioned. He also appreciates Kohli's leadership style, noting that Kohli never tried to change his bowling style but always supported his plans.
Chahal considers both Kohli and Rohit Sharma as his elder brothers, often engaging in banter with them on social media. He also said that he could talk to them about anything in life. He also compared MS Dhoni to an elder brother who commands silent respect.
The leg-spinner also addressed rumors about his personal life, specifically his alleged romantic relationship with RJ Mahavash, clarifying that there was nothing to it and people were misinterpreting casual outings. He also addressed allegations of cheating during his divorce, stating that he has never cheated on anyone.