5 Most expensive divorces of Indian cricketers

The world of Indian cricket is a high-stakes environment where every move, on and off the field, is scrutinised. While fans celebrate the runs and wickets documented, the personal lives of these superstars often come with high emotional and financial costs. High-profile divorces in the cricketing world are more than just personal heartbreaks. They often involve complex legal battles and substantial alimony settlements. Here are five of the most discussed and expensive divorces involving Indian cricketers.

1. Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan, affectionately known as "Gabbar," is one of India’s most successful openers, having amassed over 10,000 international runs across formats. His swashbuckling style and cheerful demeanour, however, masked a decade of personal turmoil. In October 2023, a Delhi family court granted Dhawan a divorce from Aesha Mukherjee on grounds of "mental cruelty."

The financial aspect of this separation was staggering. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Dhawan had allegedly sent approximately ₹13 crores to Aesha over their eight-year marriage. This included the purchase of three properties in Australia and funding a lavish lifestyle for her daughters from a previous marriage. While the final lump-sum alimony remained private, the documented financial transfers have made this one of the most expensive separations in Indian sports history.

2. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder who played a pivotal role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, has seen his net worth skyrocket through IPL contracts and brand endorsements. In July 2024, Pandya and his wife, Natasa Stankovic, officially announced their separation after four years of marriage.

The divorce sparked a firestorm of speculation on social media, with rumours claiming that Natasa was entitled to 70% of Pandya’s total wealth as alimony. While legal experts and subsequent reports clarified that such a percentage is not standard under Indian law and that many of Hardik’s assets are reportedly in his mother’s name, the "70% rumor" remains the most talked-about financial figure associated with any modern Indian cricketer’s divorce.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal

India’s premier leg-spinner and the highest wicket-taker in T20I history, Yuzvendra Chahal, is known for his tactical brilliance on the pitch. However, his marriage to YouTuber and choreographer Dhanashree Verma became a topic of intense media speculation. 

According to various news outlets and viral social media discussions, the alimony settlement was estimated to be around ₹4.75 crores. Chahal even seemingly alluded to this figure in a humorous exchange with Shikhar Dhawan on Instagram, jokingly mentioning a "4 crore" copyright fee. 

4. Virender Sehwag 

Virender Sehwag remains a titan of the game, being the only Indian with two Test triple centuries. Recently, Sehwag’s personal life has come under the spotlight due to persistent rumours of a separation from his wife of 20 years, Aarti Ahlawat.

While no official divorce decree or alimony amount has been confirmed, reports in 2025 and early 2026 noted that the couple had unfollowed each other on social media and were living separately. Given Sehwag’s immense net worth, valued at over ₹300 crores according to various lifestyle reports, any potential legal settlement would undoubtedly be among the highest in the country, although it currently remains shrouded in intense public speculation.

5. Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik’s career is a masterclass in longevity, spanning over two decades and multiple comebacks. His first marriage to childhood friend Nikita Vanjara ended in 2012 under painful circumstances involving a teammate.

Karthik, known for his poise, handled the divorce with extreme discretion. Unlike other high-profile splits, no specific alimony figure was ever leaked to the press or documented in public archives. However, as one of the highest-paid IPL players at the time, commanding prices as high as ₹10.5 crores in auctions, the settlement was understood to be substantial.

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