Yuvraj Singh blames Virat Kohli for his retirement [Source: AFP]

In the last 25 years of Indian cricket, few names have resonated as strongly as the dynamic Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj Singh made his debut for India during the Champions Trophy tournament in 2000, and immediately captured the nation’s imagination with a match‑winning innings against Australia.

From that early breakthrough, Yuvraj Singh became an indispensable component of India’s white‑ball line‑up, playing decisive roles in two ICC world tournaments. Yuvraj Singh dominated opposition bowlers throughout the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup, and four years later Yuvraj Singh was honoured as the Player of the Tournament at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Yuvraj Singh's Unfulfilled Final Wish

Despite achieving unparalleled success on the field, Yuvraj Singh carries a lingering ache in his heart. Yuvraj Singh gave everything for his nation, even confronting a cancer diagnosis in order to help India lift the 2011 World Cup trophy, yet Yuvraj Singh never received the farewell that the left‑handed veteran had envisioned.

After completing treatment for cancer, the 44‑year‑old Yuvraj Singh returned to competitive cricket, though the physical toll of treatment inevitably altered his game. Nevertheless Yuvraj Singh continued to contribute victories for India, and Yuvraj Singh’s singular remaining ambition centered on playing in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Even at the age of 36 and approaching 37, Yuvraj Singh remained India’s premier middle‑order option, yet the selection panel omitted Yuvraj Singh from the squad that contested the marquee 2019 World Cup.

Also Read: Yuvraj Singh Lambasts SRH For Denying Abhishek Sharma IPL Captaincy

Yuvraj Singh Takes Aim at Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri and Thanks MS Dhoni

Yuvraj Singh’s final One Day International appearance came in 2017, a year in which Yuvraj Singh accumulated 372 runs across 11 matches at an impressive strike rate of 98.67. Despite this productive tally, Yuvraj Singh never received a clear indication from the then captain Virat Kohli or the head coach Ravi Shastri regarding a place in the forthcoming World Cup squad.

The celebrated all‑rounder eventually announced retirement on 10 June 2019, a decision that Yuvraj Singh described as exceptionally difficult. In a recent interview with Sports Tak, Yuvraj Singh disclosed that the management, captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri offered no concrete information about Yuvraj Singh’s future. In contrast, former captain MS Dhoni provided the perspective that ultimately enabled Yuvraj Singh to reach a decision.

“I had zero clarity from the NCA, captain, and the coach. I was like… I am stuck. I am 36, going on 37. What do I do? At least give some respect for playing so long.”

“So I spoke to MS Dhoni. He gave me the right perspective that this is the reality. He wasn’t the captain or directly involved, but he was watching what was going on. That helped me understand things better.”

“From there, I got clarity. I was told that if I couldn’t pass the fitness test, I should retire. I said I will decide when to retire. I passed the test now you decide if you want me or not. If not, then I’m off,” Yuvraj Singh said.

Analyzing the Decision: Were Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri Justified?

In 2013, Yuvraj Singh featured in 18 One Day Internationals, recording 276 runs at an average of 19.71. Over the next four years, the former World Cup hero found himself on the periphery of the national set‑up before making a comeback in 2017.

By that stage Yuvraj Singh was no longer the same player who had once dazzled the world with six‑sixes, yet Yuvraj Singh still produced match‑defining contributions. Nevertheless, the captain‑coach duo of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri interpreted India’s future as requiring fresh legs for the 2019 World Cup in England, and consequently experimented with a broad array of alternatives.

A similar strategic shift was executed by former captain MS Dhoni ahead of the 2015 World Cup, when MS Dhoni omitted the seasoned Gautam Gambhir and the experienced Harbhajan Singh in favour of younger talent. In that context, the Indian management’s choice to leave Yuvraj Singh out of the 2019 World Cup squad aligns with a precedent of prioritising youth over seniority.

Also Read: David Warner Leaves PSL Midway After Moeen Ali Controversy

Discover more