Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has stirred discussions by suggesting that Virat Kohli’s captaincy played a role in the premature end of Yuvraj Singh’s international cricket career following the latter’s battle with cancer. Uthappa pointed to a lack of concessions for Yuvraj in fitness requirements, which hindered the all-rounder’s comeback.
Yuvraj Singh, one of India’s greatest white-ball players, was instrumental in securing two World Cup victories—most notably his heroics in the 2011 ODI World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Shortly after this triumph, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer and underwent intensive treatment in the United States.
Against all odds, he recovered and made a remarkable return to the Indian team, even scoring a century in an ODI against England. However, his international career faded after a lacklustre performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy, eventually leading to his retirement in 2019.
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Reflecting on these events during an interview with Lallantop, Robin Uthappa said, “Yuvi Pa defeated cancer and tried to return to the international side. He’s the man who helped India win not one but two World Cups. When such a player faces challenges post-recovery, exceptions should be made. He deserved that because of what he achieved and the battles he fought.”
Uthappa explained that Yuvraj had requested a minor concession in the fitness parameters due to reduced lung capacity after his cancer treatment. However, this request was denied.
Robin Uthappa elaborated, “When Yuvraj asked for a two-point relaxation in the fitness test, it wasn’t granted. Still, he passed the test, re-entered the team, had a lean patch in the Champions Trophy, and was dropped completely. After that, there was no attempt to bring him back.”
The former batter suggested that Kohli’s leadership style, which he described as “my way or the highway,” might have contributed to this decision. “Virat, as a captain, had a strong personality, and decisions largely aligned with his views. While achieving results is important, how you treat your players also matters,” Uthappa added.
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He emphasized the importance of showing empathy toward players who had given their all for the team, especially in extraordinary circumstances like Yuvraj’s. “Someone like Yuvraj, who had conquered one of life’s toughest battles, deserved a more considerate approach,” Uthappa concluded.
Yuvraj, now 43, retired from international cricket in 2019, bringing the curtains down on a storied career. His contributions to Indian cricket remain unparalleled, yet his exit continues to spark debates about how the sport handles its heroes in challenging times.
