Mumbai Court Approves Mutual Consent Divorce for Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma
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Synopsis
On March 20, 2023, a Mumbai family court granted a mutual consent divorce to cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and choreographer Dhanashree Verma, formally dissolving their marriage after two and a half years of separation.
Key Takeaways
- Mutual Consent Divorce: Granted by Mumbai court.
- Couple's Background: Engaged in 2020, married in December 2020.
- Cooling-Off Waiver: Approved by Bombay High Court.
- Chahal's IPL Success: Leading wicket-taker with 205 wickets.
- Dhanashree's Fame: Known for fusion dance performances.
New Delhi/Mumbai, March 20 (NationPress) A family court located in Mumbai's Bandra has granted a mutual consent divorce petition submitted by cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and choreographer Dhanashree Verma on Thursday.
The couple got engaged in 2020 and exchanged vows in December of the same year during a private ceremony in Gurugram. "The divorce has been granted. The marriage is officially dissolved. They are no longer husband and wife. The mutual consent divorce petition has been approved," stated Yuzvendra Chahal’s attorney to IANS.
Just a day prior, the Bombay High Court approved a request from the separated couple to waive the mandatory cooling-off period in their mutual consent divorce proceedings.
Justice Madhav Jamdar of the Bombay HC instructed the family court to resolve the divorce petition on the same day, considering Chahal's upcoming participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The leg-spinner was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a whopping Rs 18 crore during the IPL 2025 auction.
The bench led by Justice Jamdar acknowledged that the couple had been living apart for more than two and a half years and had adhered to the consent terms regarding alimony settled during mediation.
Under Hindu law, if a husband and wife have been living separately for a year or more, they are eligible to apply for a decree of divorce by mutual consent. However, according to Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, a statutory cooling-off period of at least six months from the date of filing the divorce petition is required to explore the possibility of reconciliation.
In a significant ruling in 2017, the Supreme Court determined that the six-month cooling-off period is not obligatory, allowing the court to waive this requirement if it deems that there is no chance of the parties resuming cohabitation.
The 28-year-old dancer, Dhanashree, is celebrated for her fusion dance performances, which combine traditional Indian dance styles with contemporary influences.
Recently, Chahal was seen among the audience sitting next to social media influencer RJ Mahvash during the Champions Trophy Final. This was not the first occasion they were rumored to be together.
In December of last year, a photo of RJ Mahvash and the cricketer from a Christmas gathering went viral, prompting the social media personality to clarify on Instagram.
She wrote, "Various articles and rumors have been circulating online. It’s quite amusing to see how unfounded these speculations are. Just because you’re seen with someone of the opposite gender, does that imply you’re dating? I mean, what year is this? And how many people are you all dating then?" She continued, "I have remained patient for 2-3 days, but I won’t allow any PR teams to drag my name into this to obscure other individuals' images. Let people enjoy their time with friends and family during challenging periods."
Chahal’s journey in the IPL, which covers over 160 matches, has been truly extraordinary. With 205 wickets to his credit, he is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, surpassing Dwayne Bravo's record of 183 wickets during the 2023 season. His impressive career average of 22.44 and an economy rate of 7.8 highlight his ability to blend wicket-taking skills with economical bowling, a rare achievement in the T20 format.
Chahal’s standout achievement came in 2022 when he earned the Purple Cap while playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR), with an astonishing 27 wickets that season.
During the 2024 season, Chahal became the first bowler in IPL history to surpass the 200-wicket mark. His IPL record includes six four-wicket hauls, one five-wicket haul, and a hat-trick. From 2014 to 2021, Chahal was the leading spinner for Royal Challengers Bangalore, claiming 139 wickets in 113 matches, a record that remains unmatched for any bowler in the franchise's colors.
Despite his exceptional performance, RCB made the unexpected choice not to retain him ahead of the 2022 mega auction.
Chahal’s resurgence after leaving RCB has been nothing short of remarkable. Playing for RR in the last three seasons, he has taken 66 wickets, demonstrating his consistent influence in the league.
