Some Of The BCCI Officials Did Not Like That – Yuvraj Singh On Indian Team Captaincy
Published - 08 May 2022, 03:31 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:06 AM
Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh opened up on being eluded from team India’s captaincy. Yuvraj played 40 Tests, 304 ODI matches, and 58 T20 Internationals in an international career that spanned around 17 years.
Yuvraj was the impetus behind India’s success in the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa and the 2011 World Cup on home turf. Yuvraj was named player of the series in the 2011 WC for his sheer all-round display with 362 runs and 15 wickets in the tournament.
I was supposed to be the captain for the 2007 T20 WC: Yuvraj Singh
The 40-year-old said he expected to become the captain for the T20 World Cup in South Africa but some BCCI officials were against him leading India. Yuvraj doesn’t regret missing the opportunity to captain India but mentioned it would have been a great honour for him.
“I was supposed to be the captain. Then the Greg Chappell incident happened. It had become Chappell or Sachin. I was probably the only player who supported…that I support my teammate.
“And there were a lot of people in the…Some of the BCCI officials did not like that. It was said that they should make anybody the captain but not myself. This is what I heard.
“I am not sure how true it is. Suddenly from vice-captaincy, I was removed. Sehwag was not there in the team. So, out of nowhere, Mahi became captain for the 2007 T20 World Cup. I thought I was going to be the captain,” Yuvraj told Sports 18.
“Viru (Virender Sehwag) was senior but he was not on the England tour. I was the vice-captain of the ODI team while Rahul was the captain. So, I was supposed to be the captain. Obviously, it was a decision that went against me but I have no regrets about it. Today, if the same thing happens, I will still support my teammate,” he added.
Even if I was made the captain, I would have to go: Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj said that MS Dhoni was the best choice to lead the Indian team as he wouldn’t have continued in the role for a long time because of his injuries.
“After a while, I thought Mahi was getting really good in captaincy. He was probably the right guy to lead in ODI cricket. Then I started getting injured a lot. Even if I was made the captain, I would have to go. Injuries were taking a toll on my body for a while,” he said.
“Everything happens for the best. I actually don’t regret not having the captaincy of India. It would have been a huge honour. But I would always choose my teammate, if bad things have been said about his character, I would always stand up for my teammate,” he added.
Yuvraj announced retirement from international cricket and IPL on June 10, 2019.
Also Read: I Wanted To Play 100 Test Matches, Face Those Fast Bowlers, And Bat For Two Days – Yuvraj Singh
