Robin Uthappa Criticizes Kohli’s Leadership, Claims It Affected Yuvraj Singh’s Career
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, a member of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, made a controversial statement regarding Yuvraj Singh’s early retirement from international cricket.
Uthappa suggested that then-captain Virat Kohli indirectly played a role in ending Yuvraj’s career prematurely. He revealed that Yuvraj, after recovering from cancer, re-entered the team but faced challenges as Kohli did not agree to relax fitness standards for him.
“Yuvraj Singh fought cancer and came back. He was a key player in India’s two World Cup victories. When such a player tries to return to international cricket, it is the captain’s duty to offer support. Due to cancer, Yuvraj’s lung capacity had reduced, and everyone was aware of his struggles.
While it is important to maintain fitness standards, exceptions should sometimes be made, especially for someone like Yuvraj, who not only helped India win World Cups but also defeated cancer. No one told me this—I observed it myself,” Uthappa said in an interview with Hindi media outlet Lallantop.
Yuvraj Singh is widely regarded as one of India’s greatest players in limited-overs cricket. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, he played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory, being named the Player of the Tournament.
He was also instrumental in the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph, with his six sixes in an over against England becoming one of the most memorable moments in cricket history.
However, after being diagnosed with cancer, Yuvraj took a break from cricket and later made a remarkable comeback, scoring a century in an ODI against England.
Despite his efforts, he struggled in the 2017 Champions Trophy, which led to the selectors gradually sidelining him. Eventually, Yuvraj announced his retirement from international cricket in 2019.
ALSO READ: Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree: Rumors and Reality