Former batsman Robin Uthappa has blamed Virat Kohli for indirectly curtailing Yuvraj Singh’s international career when he returned to the team after beating cancer, saying the flamboyant all-rounder made some fitness concessions. The request was rejected by the then Indian captain. One of India’s best players in white-ball cricket, Yuvraj was a major reason for the team’s twin World Cup triumphs under MS Dhoni, but after winning the title in the 2011 ODI showcase, he was diagnosed with cancer and He was treated immediately. For the same in America.

Yuvraj then made a remarkable comeback to fight his way back into the Indian team and even scored a century against England in an ODI, but after a quiet exit in the Champions Trophy in 2017, he was overlooked. And decided to retire from the game in 2019. .

Seeing this story, Uthappa said during an interview on ‘Lalantaap’, “Take the example of Yuvi Pa. The man beat cancer, and he is trying to come back to the international team. Cup, others. For that matter the players won us two World Cups, but played a vital role in helping us win.

“Then for a player like that, when you become captain, you say he has reduced lung capacity and you’ve been with him when you’ve seen him struggle. Nobody told me that, I observe things.” Uthappa added, “You have seen him struggle, then when you are the captain, yes you have to maintain the quality level, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Here is a man who is an exception. Deserved because he just beat you and won tournaments, but he has beaten cancer.

“He’s beaten life’s hardest challenge in that sense. There’s some question room for people like that.”

Uthappa revealed that Yuvraj requested deduction of points in the fitness test but was denied any leniency by the team management. However, he managed to win the Tests and return to the team before being dropped after a poor performance in the Champions Trophy in England.

“So when Yuvi requested a two-point deduction, he didn’t get it. Then he tested because he was out of the team and they weren’t getting him in. He passed the fitness test, came into the team, Had a lean tournament, didn’t quite bring it out after that.

Uthappa said, “Whoever was in the leadership group, he didn’t entertain it. Virat was the leader then and it suited him because of his strong personality, and it suited him at that time. ” said Uthappa.

Talking about Kohli’s leadership style, Uthappa said that he is a ‘my way or highway’ type of captain.

“I haven’t played much under Virat as a captain. But Virat as a captain, he was a very ‘my way or the highway’ type of captain. It’s not that these guys aren’t like that too, but How? Treat your team, how you treat your personnel, because it’s not just about results.”

Yuvraj, 43, announced his international retirement in 2019, having last played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL that year.

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