Yuvraj Breaks Silence on Career Exit
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- Apr 04, 2026
- 564
Yuvraj Singh, the celebrated hero of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, revealed in a recent interview that it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni who first informed him that he was no longer part of the selectors’ plans. This realisation ultimately led to his retirement from all forms of international cricket on June 10, 2019.
Speaking to Sports Tak, Yuvraj recounted a difficult phase towards the end of his career, when he found himself repeatedly in and out of the national side at the age of 36–37. He stated that neither the National Cricket Academy, nor then captain Virat Kohli, nor head coach Ravi Shastri communicated clearly with him regarding his future.
“At that point, I felt completely stranded,” Yuvraj said. “Having served the country for so many years, I believed I deserved clarity and respect. Unfortunately, neither was forthcoming.”
Frustrated by the lack of communication, Yuvraj reached out to Dhoni, who, despite not being captain at the time, had a clear understanding of the situation. According to Yuvraj, Dhoni candidly conveyed that the selectors were looking ahead and that he was no longer in contention. “That conversation gave me the clarity I had been seeking,” he added.
Yuvraj further alleged that subtle pressure was exerted on him to retire, particularly under the pretext of fitness concerns. He was reportedly told that clearing the Yo-Yo fitness test would be difficult, suggesting it was time to step away. However, Yuvraj maintained that the decision to retire would be his alone, asserting that while team selection rests with management, retirement is a personal call.
He also explained his absence from the commentary circuit, revealing that personal remarks made about him by certain individuals influenced his decision. “Criticism of performance is part of sport, but personal comments are not easily forgotten,” he remarked.
Yuvraj’s illustrious international career spanned nearly two decades, beginning with his debut in 2000. Over the years, he featured in 304 One Day Internationals, 58 T20 Internationals, and 40 Test matches, amassing over 11,000 runs and establishing himself as one of India’s most impactful all-rounders.
His crowning achievement came during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he delivered a series of match-winning performances, scoring 362 runs at an average of 90.50 and claiming 15 wickets. His exceptional contributions earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament award, along with four Player of the Match honours.
Earlier, in the inaugural 2007 ICC T20 World Cup under Dhoni’s captaincy, Yuvraj etched his name in cricketing folklore by smashing six consecutive sixes in an over against England and recording the fastest T20I half-century by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 12 balls.
Following the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer and underwent extensive treatment, keeping him out of action for over a year. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he made a comeback in 2012 against New Zealand. However, his performances never quite recaptured their earlier brilliance. Post-2011, he managed modest returns across formats, both with the bat and ball, before eventually bringing the curtain down on his career in 2019.