'Mahi And I Are Not Friends' - Yuvraj On Relationship With MS Dhoni

image-lol0lmmdYuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni (Twitter)

Yuvraj Singh opened up on his complicated relationship with former India skipper and legend MS Dhoni by stating they are "not close friends" in real life but happen to develop a strong bond when they played with each other for the country. 

The former India match-winner gave an honest account of his connection with Dhoni off the field and said they were not the closest but held each other in high regard and respect, which helped Team India once they formed a great middle-order duo that shined famously at the height of two giants' respective careers. 

Amidst constant speculations of the rift, especially with Yuvraj's father and former India pacer Yograj Singh infamous for his nasty and controversial statements on Dhoni, the former left-hand batter highlighted the support the ex-captain provided to him and played a part in instilling clarity in his head when he was struggling for answers about his final axing from the team back in 2017. 


Yuvraj opens up on relationship with Dhoni 

Speaking on the 'TRS podcast' with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Yuvraj said it was because of cricket that Dhoni and he connected and became friends but they were never close buddies because of contrasting personalities and cultures. 

"Mahi and I are not close friends. We were friends because of cricket, we played together. Mahi's lifestyle was very different from mine, so we were never close friends, we were only friends because of cricket," Yuvraj said. 


"When me and Mahi went on the ground, we gave more than 100% to our country. In that, he was captain, I was vice-captain. When I came into the team, I was 4 years junior. When you are captain and vice-captain, there will be decision differences."

Yuvraj revealed it was Dhoni, not the then skipper Virat Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri or chief selector MSK Prasad, who provided him with a clear answer behind his ouster from the side post the 2017 Champions Trophy, which proved to be a final nail for the cricketer's illustrious career. Yuvraj retired from international cricket a couple of years later. 

"Sometimes he made decisions I didn't like, sometimes I made decisions he didn't like. That happens in every team. When I was at the end of my career, when I wasn't getting the right picture about my career, I asked him for advice." 


"He was the guy who told me that the selection committee is not looking at you right now. I was like, at least I got to know the real picture. This is just before the 2019 World Cup. That is the reality," Yuvraj added.