Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian cricketer and star of two World Cup victories, expressed his gratitude towards Virat Kohli, stating that the former Indian captain provided him with significant support during his tenure. Yuvraj believes that without Kohli’s backing, he would not have been able to make a comeback to the Indian team.
Yuvraj played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup, contributing crucial half-centuries against England and Australia. He was also instrumental in the team’s success in the 2011 World Cup, earning the Player of the Tournament accolade. However, his journey took a challenging turn when he was diagnosed with cancer after the 2011 World Cup, leading to a break from the sport. Upon his return in 2012, Yuvraj struggled to regain his previous form and faced difficulties in securing his place in the team.
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His last One Day International (ODI) appearance came in 2017 against the West Indies, the same year in which he achieved his highest ODI score of 150 against England. Although Yuvraj received a few opportunities in T20Is, his performance fell short of expectations.
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Recently, Yuvraj spoke about his comeback to the Indian team, acknowledging the role played by Virat Kohli. He emphasized that without Kohli’s support, his return would not have been possible. Yuvraj stated, “When I made my comeback, Virat Kohli supported me. Had he not backed me, I wouldn’t have made a comeback. However, it was MS Dhoni who provided me with a realistic view of the 2019 World Cup, indicating that the selectors were not considering me. He gave me clarity and did everything within his capacity.”
Yuvraj also shared his observations on MS Dhoni’s change in approach following the 2011 ODI World Cup. He mentioned that Dhoni had immense faith in him until then, considering him a key player. However, circumstances changed after Yuvraj’s illness, leading to various alterations within the team. Reflecting on the 2015 World Cup, Yuvraj acknowledged that it was challenging to pinpoint specific factors. He recognized that as a captain, it is not always possible to justify every decision, as the overall performance of the country takes precedence.