Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, known for his outstanding performances in two World Cup victories, played a crucial role in India’s success in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup. However, his journey took a challenging turn when he was diagnosed with cancer after the 2011 World Cup. Following his recovery and return to cricket in 2012, Yuvraj struggled to regain his form and secure a permanent spot in the team.
Yuvraj Singh played his last One Day International (ODI) against West Indies in 2017, the same year he achieved his highest ODI score of 150 against England. Although he received a few opportunities in T20Is, his performances did not meet expectations. Recently, Yuvraj opened up about his comeback to the Indian team and acknowledged the pivotal role played by Virat Kohli in his return.
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“When I made my comeback, Virat Kohli supported me. Had he not backed me, I wouldn’t have been able to make a comeback to the Indian team,” Yuvraj Singh told News18. “But then it was Dhoni who showed me the reality about the 2019 World Cup, indicating that the selectors were not considering me. He provided me with clarity and did everything he could.”
Yuvraj Singh also mentioned that Dhoni had immense faith in him until the 2011 ODI World Cup. However, circumstances changed after his recovery from illness.
“Till the 2011 World Cup, MS had a lot of confidence in me and used to tell me that ‘you are my main player’,” Yuvraj said. “But after coming back from illness, the game changed, and there were numerous alterations in the team. So, as far as the 2015 World Cup is concerned, you can’t pinpoint any specific reason,” added Yuvraj Singh.
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He further emphasized, “This is a personal decision. As a captain, sometimes you can’t justify everything because ultimately, you have to consider the country’s performance.”
Yuvraj Singh expressed gratitude to Virat Kohli for his support during his comeback, while acknowledging the honest guidance provided by MS Dhoni regarding his chances of selection in the 2019 World Cup. His journey in cricket has been filled with ups and downs, but he continues to be remembered as a key contributor to India’s World Cup triumphs.
