Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has found himself in hot water after his recent explosive comments on Virat Kohli’s captaincy and its impact on certain players, including Yuvraj Singh and Ambati Rayudu. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner faced backlash on social media for blaming Kohli for Yuvraj and Rayudu’s ouster from the Indian cricket team.
In a recent interview with Lallantop, Robin Uthappa openly slammed Virat Kohli’s handling of legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh during the last phase of his career. He also claimed that Kohli's preferences influenced the controversial omission of Ambati Rayudu from India’s 2019 ODI World Cup squad. These comments led him to face severe backlash from Kohli’s fans.
Robin Uthappa defends his controversial statements on Virat Kohli's leadership
Amid the criticism, Robin Uthappa took to YouTube to clarify his statements and address the uproar. He stressed that his statements were not personal attacks on Kohli but observations about his leadership approach. He also insisted that everybody has his own opinion, so his as well. The former Indian batter emphasized that he respects Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket, but he has different views on his leadership styles, and that’s it.
Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ajit Agarkar hints at end of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s careers post-CT
Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube channel: “A lot is being said; a lot is being misconstrued. Calm down. I'm a human being; I'm allowed to have my opinion, much like any of you. I have been listening to and receiving a lot of hate over the last few days. I was in an interview, and being in an interview, I am allowed to be honest and straightforward and share my opinion as I believe what my opinion is.”
Uthappa defended his comments on Virat Kohli’s leadership by saying, “I feel like Virat's style of leadership was perhaps more exclusive than inclusive. You feel something else, no worries. This is my opinion, and you're entitled to yours, and I respect yours, and you'll respect mine. There's nothing wrong with somebody having their own opinion.”
Robin Uthappa says he loves Virat Kohli as a person and player, but not as a captain
Furthermore, Uthappa emphasized that his views were about Kohli's leadership style, not him as a person or player. Even he praised the former Indian captain as one of the greatest ODI batters and a legend of the game while acknowledging his evolution as a person over the years.
The former Indian batter has also expressed admiration for Kohli’s hunger and passion for cricket. He said that he really loves Virat as a person and player, but he has his own opinion about his style of leadership, and there is nothing wrong with it. Robin also feels Kohli can still play Test cricket for 3 years.
Read Also: Rohit Sharma labels Mohammed Shami 'stalwart of white-ball cricket' weeks after ugly fight rumors
Meanwhile, Robin Uthappa clarified his statement regarding Yuvraj Singh. He stressed that legends like Yuvraj Singh deserved a proper send-off, as he was one of the greatest players Indian cricket has ever seen. Uthappa felt that Yuvraj missed the farewell that he deserved, and Virat Kohli, as India's captain, could have facilitated it, but he didn’t because he was out of form.
Yuvraj Singh didn't get a send-off because of Virat Kohli!!!
Uthappa explained, “I wasn't talking about Yuvraj Singh’s comeback. I was talking about a legend like him getting a send-off that he deserved to get, and I believe that someone like them deserves to have the kind of send-off that Rohit or Virat deserves, irrespective of what kind of form they're in or what they're not in. I still feel Yuvraj Singh deserved to have a send-off, which he didn't get, and Virat could have afforded it, is what I felt as a leader, and that is my opinion.”
In the end, Uthappa also shared his thoughts on Ambati Rayudu's exclusion from the 2019 ODI World Cup squad. He expressed sympathy for his friend Rayudu. The former Indian batter has highlighted the emotional impact it had on Ambati Rayudu. He feels Kohli could have handled the situation in a better way to avoid such a painful experience for Rayudu.
Robin Uthappa justifies explosive comments on Virat Kohli’s handling of Yuvraj Singh, Ambati Rayudu despite 'receiving hate'
Published - 19 Jan 2025, 12:38 PM | Updated - 19 Jan 2025, 12:47 PM
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Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has found himself in hot water after his recent explosive comments on Virat Kohli’s captaincy and its impact on certain players, including Yuvraj Singh and Ambati Rayudu. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner faced backlash on social media for blaming Kohli for Yuvraj and Rayudu’s ouster from the Indian cricket team.
In a recent interview with Lallantop, Robin Uthappa openly slammed Virat Kohli’s handling of legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh during the last phase of his career. He also claimed that Kohli's preferences influenced the controversial omission of Ambati Rayudu from India’s 2019 ODI World Cup squad. These comments led him to face severe backlash from Kohli’s fans.
Robin Uthappa defends his controversial statements on Virat Kohli's leadership
Amid the criticism, Robin Uthappa took to YouTube to clarify his statements and address the uproar. He stressed that his statements were not personal attacks on Kohli but observations about his leadership approach. He also insisted that everybody has his own opinion, so his as well. The former Indian batter emphasized that he respects Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket, but he has different views on his leadership styles, and that’s it.
Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ajit Agarkar hints at end of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s careers post-CT
Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube channel: “A lot is being said; a lot is being misconstrued. Calm down. I'm a human being; I'm allowed to have my opinion, much like any of you. I have been listening to and receiving a lot of hate over the last few days. I was in an interview, and being in an interview, I am allowed to be honest and straightforward and share my opinion as I believe what my opinion is.”
Uthappa defended his comments on Virat Kohli’s leadership by saying, “I feel like Virat's style of leadership was perhaps more exclusive than inclusive. You feel something else, no worries. This is my opinion, and you're entitled to yours, and I respect yours, and you'll respect mine. There's nothing wrong with somebody having their own opinion.”
Robin Uthappa says he loves Virat Kohli as a person and player, but not as a captain
Furthermore, Uthappa emphasized that his views were about Kohli's leadership style, not him as a person or player. Even he praised the former Indian captain as one of the greatest ODI batters and a legend of the game while acknowledging his evolution as a person over the years.
The former Indian batter has also expressed admiration for Kohli’s hunger and passion for cricket. He said that he really loves Virat as a person and player, but he has his own opinion about his style of leadership, and there is nothing wrong with it. Robin also feels Kohli can still play Test cricket for 3 years.
Read Also: Rohit Sharma labels Mohammed Shami 'stalwart of white-ball cricket' weeks after ugly fight rumors
Meanwhile, Robin Uthappa clarified his statement regarding Yuvraj Singh. He stressed that legends like Yuvraj Singh deserved a proper send-off, as he was one of the greatest players Indian cricket has ever seen. Uthappa felt that Yuvraj missed the farewell that he deserved, and Virat Kohli, as India's captain, could have facilitated it, but he didn’t because he was out of form.
Yuvraj Singh didn't get a send-off because of Virat Kohli!!!
Uthappa explained, “I wasn't talking about Yuvraj Singh’s comeback. I was talking about a legend like him getting a send-off that he deserved to get, and I believe that someone like them deserves to have the kind of send-off that Rohit or Virat deserves, irrespective of what kind of form they're in or what they're not in. I still feel Yuvraj Singh deserved to have a send-off, which he didn't get, and Virat could have afforded it, is what I felt as a leader, and that is my opinion.”
In the end, Uthappa also shared his thoughts on Ambati Rayudu's exclusion from the 2019 ODI World Cup squad. He expressed sympathy for his friend Rayudu. The former Indian batter has highlighted the emotional impact it had on Ambati Rayudu. He feels Kohli could have handled the situation in a better way to avoid such a painful experience for Rayudu.
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Robin Uthappa Virat Kohli Yuvraj Singh Ambati Rayudu