In a poignant disclosure on the Figuring Out with Raj Shamani podcast, Yuzvendra Chahal revealed he witnessed Virat Kohli—and nearly every Indian team member—crying in the bathroom after the devastating loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final . India had failed to chase 240, losing by 18 runs on reserve day - a match that also marked MS Dhoni’s final ODI appearance.

Chahal, part of the playing XI, said: “2019 World Cup, I saw him crying in the bathroom. And then I was the last batter, when I was crossing him, he had tears in his eyes.” He added that he witnessed “everyone crying in the bathroom”, highlighting the fragility and emotional weight of the moment.

He contrasted the responses of former captains: praising Rohit Sharma for his composed leadership, while calling Kohli’s energy unwavering yet deeply emotional. The heartfelt revelation humanizes legends and underscores how sports crushing moments can cut deeper than the scoreboard.