Published By: Sanchari Das

Yograj Singh’s Statement Against Kapil-Dhoni Rekindles Myriad of His Part Controversies

This isn't the first time Yograj has attacked Dhoni

Former cricketer Yograj Singh is back in the news, not for his acting career or time on the cricket field, but for his unfiltered and fiery opinions. This time, once again, his target was MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, two of Indian cricket's biggest icons. Yograj's criticism of Dhoni centres on his belief that Dhoni's captaincy contributed to Yuvraj Singh's premature exit from international cricket, reflecting deep-seated frustration and a sense of betrayal.

His long-standing feud with Kapil Dev is similarly personal. He feels Kapil played a role in his own exclusion from the Indian team and recently compared his son Yuvraj's achievements to Kapil's, suggesting that Yuvraj's success was a form of revenge. 

Another public outburst 

In an interview with News24, Yograj didn't mince words as he called out Dhoni for allegedly "backstabbing" his son, Yuvraj Singh, in May 2022. He claimed that both Dhoni and Virat Kohli, along with the selectors, had betrayed Yuvraj, preventing him from getting the farewell he deserved. These accusations came only a month after Yuvraj revealed that he didn't receive as much support from Dhoni and Kohli as from Sourav Ganguly. He's been vocal about Dhoni's role in the abrupt end of Ambati Rayudu's career and has even blamed the former skipper for India's semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup.

The Ravana comparison 

This isn't the first time Yograj has attacked Dhoni. In a previous interview, he even compared the wicketkeeper-batsman to Ravana, the villainous king from Indian mythology. According to Yograj, Dhoni's arrogance would lead to his downfall, just as Ravana's pride did. For Yograj, though, it seemed personal, as if Dhoni's success had come at the expense of his son's career.

The 2019 World Cup Blame Game 

Yograj also made headlines after India's loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, blaming Dhoni for the defeat. He criticised Dhoni's cautious approach during the match, accusing him of encouraging his teammates to take risks while he played conservatively. For Yograj, this was yet another instance of Dhoni falling short when it mattered most, a narrative he has pushed in the media over the years.

These comments sparked yet another wave of backlash, with Dhoni's fans rallying to his defence. Many pointed out that Dhoni had been one of India's most successful captains and that his contributions to Indian cricket far outweighed the mistakes that Yograj highlighted. But for Yograj, the semi-final loss was just another example of Dhoni's failures as a player and leader.

A controversial figure 

Singh's arrest in a family dispute in 2014 further cements his reputation as a controversial figure. Arrested in Panchkula following a brawl over a parking issue, Yograj again found himself in the headlines. He was charged with trespassing and criminal intimidation, and the incident served as a reminder that Yograj's life off the field was just as tumultuous as his public statements.

Despite the controversy, Yograj remains unapologetic. His unfiltered comments and personal vendettas continue to make news, and his ability to stir up drama shows no signs of fading. Whether his opinions are justified or simply the result of old grudges, Yograj has become a polarising figure in the Indian media, known more for his off-field outbursts rather than his brief cricketing career of only seven international matches.