In a significant legal development, a family court in Mumbai’s Bandra district granted a mutual consent divorce to Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and choreographer Dhanashree Verma on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The couple, who had been living separately for over two and a half years, had filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. AP News+2ETLegalWorld.com+2AP News+2
Background of the Relationship
Yuzvendra Chahal, renowned for his leg-spin bowling, and Dhanashree Verma, a celebrated dancer and choreographer known for her fusion dance performances, got engaged in 2020. They tied the knot in December of the same year in a private ceremony held in Gurugram.
Legal Proceedings and Waiver of Cooling-Off Period
Under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, couples seeking divorce by mutual consent are typically required to observe a six-month cooling-off period to explore possibilities of reconciliation. However, the Supreme Court, in a landmark 2017 verdict, held that this period is not mandatory and can be waived if there is no possibility of resuming cohabitation.
In this case, Chahal and Verma filed a joint application to waive the cooling-off period, emphasizing their prolonged separation and compliance with alimony agreements reached during mediation. On March 19, 2025, Justice Madhav Jamdar of the Bombay High Court granted their application, directing the family court to expedite the divorce proceedings, especially considering Chahal’s commitments in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹18 crore.
Court’s Observations
The High Court noted that the couple had been living apart for over two years and had fulfilled the consent terms regarding alimony payments. The court observed that prolonging the process would only extend their agony, and there was no impediment to granting the waiver.
Chahal’s Cricketing Career
Yuzvendra Chahal’s IPL career has been illustrious. Over 160 matches, he has taken 205 wickets, making him the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, surpassing Dwayne Bravo’s record of 183 wickets during the 2023 season. His career average stands at 22.44, with an economy rate of 7.8, reflecting his ability to combine wicket-taking prowess with economical bowling—an invaluable asset in the T20 format.
In 2022, Chahal’s exceptional performance earned him the Purple Cap while playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR), where he claimed 27 wickets in the season. The following year, he became the first bowler in IPL history to surpass the 200-wicket milestone. His IPL achievements include six four-wicket hauls, one five-wicket haul, and a hat-trick. Between 2014 and 2021, Chahal was a pivotal player for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), taking 139 wickets in 113 matches—the highest for any bowler in the franchise’s history. Despite his dominance, RCB chose not to retain him ahead of the 2022 mega auction. Chahal’s subsequent tenure with RR over the last three seasons has been marked by consistent excellence, with 66 wickets to his name.
Public Speculations and Clarifications
In recent times, Chahal was seen attending the Champions Trophy Final alongside social media personality RJ Mahvash, sparking speculations about their relationship. This was not the first instance; in December of the previous year, a photograph of Chahal and Mahvash from a Christmas celebration went viral. Addressing the rumors, Mahvash took to Instagram to clarify, stating that such speculations were baseless and urged people to allow individuals to live in peace during challenging times.
Conclusion
The mutual consent divorce between Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma marks the end of their marital journey that began in 2020. The legal proceedings were expedited, considering their prolonged separation and Chahal’s professional commitments. Both individuals continue to excel in their respective fields, with Chahal gearing up for the upcoming IPL season and Verma making significant strides in the dance and choreography arena.AP News+1ETLegalWorld.com+1ETLegalWorld.com+1AP News+1
