Yograj Singh, father of former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has once again sparked controversy with his venomous attacks on legendary Indian cricketers. In a series of scathing remarks, Yograj has targeted both Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kapil Dev, two of the most revered figures in Indian cricket history.
Yograj Singh’s vendetta against Kapil Dev
Yograj’s latest outburst was directed at Kapil, the captain of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning team. In a video that went viral on social media, he launched a personal attack on Kapil, accusing him of playing a key role in his exclusion from the Indian team in 1981.
Yograj claimed that Yuvraj’s 13 major trophies in his career overshadow Dev’s sole World Cup title. “The greatest captain of our time, Kapil Dev… I told him, I’ll leave you in a position where the world would spit on you. Today, Yuvraj Singh has 13 trophies, and you have only one, the World Cup. End of discussion,” Yograj asserted in an interview with Zee Switch.
This derogatory remark has drawn widespread condemnation from fans and critics alike.
Yograj Singh on KAPIL DEV –
“The greatest captain of our time, Kapil Dev… I told him, I’ll leave you in a position where the world would curse you. Today, Yuvraj Singh has 13 trophies, and you have only one, the World Cup. End of discussion”.pic.twitter.com/vuk194IneL
— Sports with naveen (@sportswnaveen) September 2, 2024
Also READ: Yuvraj Singh’s biopic to hit the silver screen; will cover his cricketing battle
Yograj continues his feud with Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Yograj’s attacks on Dhoni, who led India to the 2011 World Cup title, have been ongoing for several years. In this previous interview, he accused Dhoni of “ruining” Yuvraj’s career and vowed to never forgive him. Singh’s relentless criticism of Dhoni has raised concerns about his motivations and the impact his words may have on the young cricketer.
“I won’t forgive MS Dhoni. He should look at his face in the mirror. He is a very big cricketer, but what he has done against my son, everything is coming out now; it can never be forgiven in life. I have never done two things in life – first, I have never forgiven anybody who has done wrong for me, and second, I have never hugged them in my life, be it my family members or my kids,” he said.
A demand of Bharat Ratna for Yuvraj Singh
In one of his most controversial statements, Yograj has demanded that the Indian government award his son, Yuvraj, the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in India. Singh has argued that Yuvraj’s achievements, including playing with cancer and winning the World Cup, make him worthy of the prestigious award.
Yograj added: “That man (MS Dhoni) has destroyed the life of my son, who could have played four to five years more. I dare everyone to give birth to a son like Yuvraj. Even Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have said in the past that there won’t be another Yuvraj Singh. India should award him the Bharat Ratna for playing with cancer and winning the World Cup for the country.”
Cricket fans criticise Yograj’s training to Arjun Tendulkar
Amidst the controversy surrounding his comments, it was revealed that Yograj had been approached by Sachin Tendulkar to train his son Arjun. While some fans expressed their support for this collaboration, others voiced concerns about Yograj’s negative influence on the young cricketer. Many netizens took to social media to urge Arjun to distance himself from Yograj, citing his toxic behaviour and derogatory remarks.
His behaviour is a stark reminder of the toxic culture that can sometimes permeate the world of sports. Yograj’s constant attacks on former teammates and rivals are not only disrespectful but also harmful to the image of Indian cricket. It is imperative that such individuals are called out for their actions and held accountable for their words. As Singh continues to make headlines with his controversial statements, it remains to be seen how the Indian cricket community will respond to his actions.
Yograj, don’t ruin his life. Arjun… look for new coach
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) September 2, 2024