The high-octane atmosphere of ipl 2026 The cricket pitch has taken a dramatic turn as the experienced leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal He finds himself at the center of a social media storm. are currently representing Punjab Kings (PBKS)Chahal is making headlines not for his trademark flippers, but for an alleged Instagram direct message (DM) sent to the actress and influencer. Tanya Chatterjee. The controversy began when a video surfaced online showing Chatterjee showing her private messages to the paparazzi, with claims that the cricketer called her “cute”.
Actress Tania Chatterjee publicly exposed Yuzvendra Chahal’s DM!
The incident came to light during a recent media interaction, where Chatterjee, known for her roles in popular OTT series like Gandii Baat and projects on the Ullu platform, was seen squabbling with photographers. In the viral clip, she picks up her smartphone to show a conversation thread allegedly related to Chahal. According to Chatterjee, the India international watched one of his videos and responded with a simple message: “Cute.”
When pressed by the paparazzi on whether he had reciprocated Ruchi’s interest, Chatterjee maintained a casual stance. She noted that she saw the message much later and did not immediately reply.
“Being called cute is completely normal; many people say so“He made the comment, seemingly downplaying the intent while also ensuring that the exchange became public. As Chahal continues his IPL 2026 campaign for Punjab, following a massive ₹18 crore acquisition last year, this off-field distraction comes at a sensitive time for the bowler, who has become the first player to cross the 200-wicket mark in IPL history.
Here is the video:
Also read: Fans speculating about rift between Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya after MI vs RCB IPL 2026 match
Digital fallout for Chahal and shadow of personal news of the past
The revelation has sparked a polarized debate on social media platforms. A large section of fans have criticized the leg spinner and questioned the propriety of the conversation given his public stature. In contrast, many defenders argue that a one-word compliment is harmless and that the actress is sensationalizing a private exchange for its own effect. Discussions have also turned towards the ethics of privacy, with users debating whether showing private DMs to the media is a breach of trust.
The reason to add fuel to this controversy is the context of Chahal’s recent personal life. Many netizens pointed to the high-profile divorce between Chahal and the dancer Dhanashree VermaWhich was finalized in early 2025. This latest ‘DM scandal’ mirrors a previous incident involving the actress Khushi Mukherjeewho once claimed captaincy of India Suryakumar Yadav He messaged her repeatedly, later clarifying the claim that they were only friends. As of now, neither Chahal nor the Punjab Kings management has issued any official statement regarding the claims made by Chatterjee. For now, the Purple Cap contender’s focus is on his upcoming fixtures, although the digital noise continues to grow.