Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and choreographer Dhanashree Verma officially divorced in March 2025. During their final court hearing, Chahal drew attention for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Be Your Own Sugar Daddy.” Months later, he has referenced the phrase again in a new advertisement campaign, prompting backlash online, with many accusing him of capitalising on his divorce.
Several social media users criticised the move. One Instagram user questioned why Shefali Bagga would be part of such a campaign, while others described the concept as being in poor taste. A Reddit user wrote that linking the “sugar daddy” remark to a promotional campaign felt inappropriate and unnecessary, adding that it reflected badly on Chahal. Another commenter claimed he was “milking” his divorce for attention.
What the Ad Is About
Yuzvendra Chahal shared the promotional video on Instagram with a caption highlighting drama and twists, drawing a parallel between his cricketing skills and storytelling.
The advertisement begins with Yuzvendra Chahal exiting a lift and being surrounded by reporters asking whether he has joined StoryTV and if he has shifted from being a spinner to a writer. His manager steps in, praising his ability to create “spin” both on the cricket field and in stories.
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In the next scene, Yuzvendra Chahal is handed a script and insists on narrating it himself. Viewers then notice the phrase “Zero Sugar (Daddy) Diet” displayed behind him, referencing the viral slogan. The video later shows Yuzvendra Chahal and Shefali Bagga in a script-reading session, where she dismisses most of his ideas. One storyline appears loosely inspired by his personal life.
Online Reactions
The campaign quickly sparked mixed reactions. Some viewers found it entertaining, while many others labelled it “cringe” and accused Chahal of exploiting personal matters for publicity. One comment suggested he was using the controversy to stay relevant, claiming his cricket career had slowed down. Others criticised him for mocking the situation.
Previously, Chahal addressed the viral T-shirt moment on Raj Shamani’s podcast, explaining that he did not intend to create drama but wanted to send a message. He said he felt compelled to respond after certain events and clarified that he did not abuse anyone, but simply wanted to make his point.
Chahal and Dhanashree married in December 2020 in Gurugram. They separated in June 2022 and filed a joint petition for divorce by mutual consent on February 5. Their divorce was finalised in March 2025.