Across 188 appearances in the Indian Premier League, Chahal has claimed 233 wickets — a tally no bowler in the tournament's history has yet surpassed. He sits above Jasprit Bumrah, Sunil Narine, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Lasith Malinga in the all-time rankings.
Chahal built his reputation across the shorter formats of the game, yet a Test cap has never come his way. Across 72 one-day internationals, he has picked up 121 wickets, while a further 80 appearances in the shortest format have yielded 96 dismissals for the national side.
Off the field, the leg-spinner has faced a number of personal hurdles alongside the demands of professional cricket. Away from cricket, Chahal has dealt with a period of alcohol dependency, the breakdown of his marriage, and the pressures that come with living life under persistent public scrutiny.
In a podcast conversation hosted by former India opener Aakash Chopra, the 36-year-old opened up about navigating recovery, mental health, and the path toward rebuilding his life. During the conversation, Chopra turned to the question of what support systems Chahal had drawn on while navigating a turbulent period in his personal life, pointing out that he had long been someone who brought laughter to the people around him.
Chopra asked whether anyone had been present to offer support during the difficult period in Chahal's personal life, while also noting the intensity Chahal brings to his on-field performances. Chopra observed during the podcast that the toll of a personal-life upheaval registers differently from anything encountered in a professional setting, to which Chahal noted that close friends and family had been present throughout.
Chopra's next question put to the spinner concerned the point at which he had chosen to give up drinking. Chahal spoke about how his alcohol intake grew to a level he felt warranted outside support, a pattern he linked to a period playing county cricket. At a point where the situation had grown unmanageable, a decision was made to enter a rehabilitation facility, where a 26-day programme was completed.
Chahal described the decision as having had a considerable bearing on his personal circumstances. Prompted by Chopra's question about the origins of his drinking, Chahal traced the path back through his formative years in the sport, the social environments around him, and a set of personal difficulties that had built over time.
He went on to share guidance he had taken from former South African batter AB de Villiers, noting that at the time he had been at an early stage in his career. His debut appearance in the IPL came about during the 2011 tournament. De Villiers has noted that balance serves as a guiding thread through his life.
Following the divorce, Chahal described his behaviour as harder to manage and noted a noticeable downturn in his psychological wellbeing. Chahal noted that if that direction continued, it would have a fundamental impact on his cricket.
His personal life becoming a topic of public conversation was among the challenges the leg-spinner addressed. He described how the public scrutiny took a toll on both his state of mind and his form on the pitch, adding that holding any kind of public profile meant that personal matters inevitably drew outside commentary.
Chahal described encountering a period of low wellbeing alongside a range of obstacles. His performance on the cricket field took a hit as a result. The player recalled featuring in just two white-ball fixtures that season before stepping away from T20 cricket, attributing the absence to a mental state that was not where it needed to be. He told reporters that he had not been at full fitness and had not wanted his physical state to affect the rest of the squad.
Turning to Anirudh for backing, Chahal also put in a request for time away to handle what he was going through. He described going through anxiety and panic attacks during that time, adding that a conversation with Anirudh — in which he asked for a break — was met with understanding and support.
Describing the physical toll those episodes took on him, Chahal explained that a racing heartbeat was among the symptoms he came to recognise, and that over time he developed ways to manage what he had been carrying. During a panic attack, Chahal reported that his face would feel as though it contracted or drew inward. Chahal described coming to understand the full weight of anxiety as a lived experience.
Chahal said that at that point, the volume of commentary from social media platforms became clear to him. His remarks turned to the IPL, with that tournament named as the priority going forward. Chahal made a deliberate choice to direct his attention forward, setting aside public opinion rather than allowing it to shape his trajectory.
He also spoke about the weight of expectation that came with Punjab Kings' decision to acquire him for Rs 18 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL season, noting in his own words that once that pressure gradually eased, he chose to release it rather than hold on. Chahal noted that the Rs 18 crore price tag Punjab Kings placed on him during his opening season left him feeling a deep obligation to honour that investment, and that when the side needed to defend a total of 111 against KKR, he understood the moment called for him to take greater responsibility. Chahal acknowledged that online discussion across social media platforms had continued, and described choosing to make a fresh start.
