"Aap Cute Ho": Yuzvendra Chahal in the eye of digital storm after actress’s viral DM claims

MUMBAI: Punjab Kings star Yuzvendra Chahal finds himself at the centre of controversy once again. This time, the leg-spinner is facing claims made by model and actress Taniya Chatterjee. Taniya, known for her roles in OTT series like Gandii Baat and Titliyaan, alleges that Chahal replied to her Instagram story with the message, "Aap cute ho" (You are cute). A video has since gone viral appearing to show the actress displaying her Instagram inbox to the media as proof. Chahal has yet to respond to these allegations.

This marks the second time in a week that Chahal's name has surfaced in a negative light. Recently, a video allegedly showing him smoking while driving and carelessly discarding a cigarette butt on the road drew significant backlash. Since his reported divorce from choreographer Dhanashree Verma in 2025, Chahal’s personal life has become a staple of gossip columns. Though he was briefly linked to RJ Mahvash, those rumours cooled after the two unfollowed each other on social media.

On the field, Chahal remains focused on a comeback. Though he hasn't represented the Indian national team since 2023—and despite being a non-playing member of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad—he continues to push for a recall.

Chahal played a pivotal role in leading the Punjab Kings to the IPL finals last season. His recent appearance on AB de Villiers' podcast highlighted a shift in his mindset: "I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, and it’s been more than six months," Chahal shared. "I am now 35, so I want to be more active and give 150% for my team. As a senior player, I want others in the IPL to learn from me."