Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and dancer Dhanashree Verma have officially ended their marriage, with their divorce being granted on 20th March 2025. The couple, who got married in 2020, had been living separately for nearly two years before finalizing their divorce in court. Their separation and the details surrounding it have sparked debates, especially regarding the alimony settlement and reactions from people within the cricketing community.
Divorce and alimony agreement
The Bandra Family Court granted the divorce, making it official that Chahal and Dhanashree are no longer husband and wife. A report from Bar and Bench confirmed that as part of the settlement, Chahal agreed to pay Dhanashree a total of Rs 4.75 crore in alimony. Half of this amount, Rs. 2.37 crore, was already paid before the court hearing, while the remaining amount is due to be paid later. Given Chahal’s busy cricket schedule, especially with his participation in IPL 2025, the Bombay High Court instructed the Family Court to prioritize the case. The court recognized that the couple had already been separated for a long time, making it easier to finalize the process.
Public reaction and social media debate
The large sum of alimony has sparked debates on social media. Many people have shared their opinions, and a video by Shubhankar Mishra has gone viral, and Ritika Sajdeh, wife of Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, has stirred controversy by ‘liking’ this Instagram post that criticized Dhanashree Verma.
In the video, Mishra questioned the notion of empowerment through financial settlements, stating, “If money provides empowerment and strength, then one shouldn’t claim to be a self-made woman while accepting such large sums.” He added, “If Chahal wears a T-shirt saying ‘Be your own sugar daddy’ or people call her a gold digger, she shouldn’t mind because she took the money.” Ritika liking this post has added fuel to the fire, drawing mixed reactions from fans.
Dhanashree’s music video adds to speculation of cheating rumors
On the same day her divorce was finalized, Dhanashree released her latest music video, ‘Dekha Ji Dekha Maine.’ The song is about infidelity and toxic relationships, showing a woman trapped in a painful marriage. Fans immediately noticed the similarities between the video’s storyline and Dhanashree’s personal life. This led to more speculation, with many wondering if the video was meant to reflect her real-life experiences. When asked about her emotions post-divorce, Dhanashree gave a cryptic response. Instead of directly answering, she simply said, “Gaana suno pehle,” which means “Listen to the song first.”
