Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has made candid revelations about his international retirement, stating that he walked away from cricket when he felt he was no longer enjoying the game and was not receiving the respect he believed he deserved. Yuvraj shared these insights during a conversation with former tennis star Sania Mirza on her YouTube show “Serving It Up with Sania.”
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Yuvraj said, “I had reached a stage where cricket started feeling like a burden. I wasn’t enjoying the game anymore, and I felt the respect I once had was no longer there. When you realise you have given your best and have nothing more—mentally or physically—to offer, it’s time to step away.”
Praise for Abhishek Sharma
During the interview, Yuvraj also spoke warmly about India’s explosive young opener Abhishek Sharma, whom he has mentored closely. “When I watch Abhishek bat, it reminds me of my own playing days. The style, the intent—it’s very similar,” Yuvraj remarked.
He revealed that Abhishek’s rise was the result of long-term planning and discipline rather than overnight success. “Abhishek’s batting today is not the result of a few months of work. It took four years and three months of consistent effort,” Yuvraj explained.
Yuvraj said he created a four-year roadmap for Abhishek, pushing him to think beyond domestic cricket and the IPL. “I told him I wasn’t here to motivate him for the IPL or Ranji Trophy. Those are good platforms, but my goal was to make him believe he could play for India. He followed that plan with complete commitment, and exactly four years and three months later, he became part of Team India.”
Being Told He Was No Longer in the Plan
Yuvraj also recalled a difficult moment when then-captain MS Dhoni informed him that he was no longer part of India’s future plans. “That conversation made things very clear for me. I asked myself—what am I playing for? I had already given cricket everything I had.”
He added, “I didn’t want to prove anything to anyone. I had pushed my body and mind to their limits. Continuing further was painful. The moment I decided to quit, I felt free and normal again.”
Career After Cancer
Yuvraj played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, after which he was diagnosed with cancer. Though he made a comeback following treatment, he was never able to regain his earlier consistency. Between 2014 and 2017, his performances dipped sharply, particularly in T20 cricket.
Despite a memorable career-best 150-run ODI innings against England in 2017, the resurgence proved short-lived. Eventually, Yuvraj announced his retirement around the 2019 World Cup, bringing an end to one of Indian cricket’s most courageous and impactful careers.
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