Harbhajan Singh Contradicts Yuvraj Singh's Dearth Of 'Role Models' Statement

A prominent off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has contradicted Yuvraj Singh’s remarks wherein the latter said that team Indian team lacks role models currently. In a recent interaction with India’s limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh had lamented the dearth of role models in the present side.

The World Cup-winning cricketer stated that the line between a senior player and a youngster has become thin now, which has resulted in players saying and doing things that he felt were unthinkable during his playing days.

“I just feel there are very fewer guys to look up to and I feel that a sense of respect towards seniors, that has become a thin line now,” Yuvraj had said. “Koi bhi kisiko kuch bhi keh deta hain (anyone can say anything to anyone).”

“I think juniors, because of social media, party scenes, these things, we could not even think about that in our time. Because we had that fear that if we do some mistake, our senior will tell us that do not do this, this is not right,” he added.

However, Harbhajan Singh has contrasting views to that of Yuvraj Singh and has said that he did not feel the same till he was with the team.

Harbhajan Singh Contradicts Yuvraj’s Role Models Remarks

“See every team has a different culture. Pehle ke time kuch aur the (times were different before). Now these are different times. What Yuvi has said, I don’t know in what context he said these things, but I played till 2016 and I never felt anything like this,” Harbhajan said.

The 39-year-old added that Yuvraj could give a better answer as to why he felt so because he knows the context in which he said it.

“Now I haven’t been in the team since 2016 so I cannot comment on this current bunch. But till the time I was there, I never felt anything. Yes the team has changed a lot since 2016. So maybe Yuvi can give you a better answer to this as he knows the context,” Harbhajan said.

Gautam Gambhir Had Supported Yuvraj Singh’s Remarks

Gautam Gambhir had seconded Yuvraj’s thoughts and gave the example of how things were different previously. The legendary opener recalled how the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble among others guided the youngsters. Gautam Gambhir further said that the current side doesn’t have enough seniors and self-interest of the players is kept above youngsters.

“I agree with Yuvraj that there is a dearth of role models in the Indian team currently, like in the 2000s, we had Dravid, Kumble, Laxman, Sourav and Sachin to guide the team. It is important to have senior players around you who can help you when you’re going through a rough patch. Right now, I don’t think there are enough seniors in the Indian camp, who will set aside their self-interest to help youngsters,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports.

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