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'Man Who Beat Cancer...': Uthappa Blames Virat Kohli For Axing Yuvraj Singh From Team India

Soumyajit Dutta∙ Updated: Jan 10 2025, 11:26 AM

Robin Uthappa accuses Virat Kohli [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @HitmanCult45/X.com]Robin Uthappa accuses Virat Kohli [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @HitmanCult45/X.com]

Robin Uthappa has chosen not to stay out of the headlines as after dipping his toes into the hot waters a few days ago, for the PF scam, he is again at it. This time, Uthappa was found blasting Virat Kohli with some serious allegations involving Yuvraj Singh.

Robin Uthappa, former teammate of both Kohli and Yuvraj recently opened up about Yuvraj Singh's axing from the Indian team during Virat Kohli's captaincy. Yuvraj, after a courageous battle with cancer in 2011, made a remarkable comeback to the Indian team. However, his form dipped following his return, and he was subsequently dropped from the squad after a disappointing performance in the 2013 Champions Trophy.   

Uthappa Blames Virat Kohli For Yuvraj's Axing

Speaking on Lallantop, Robin Uthappa didn’t hold back while discussing Virat Kohli’s tenure as captain, indirectly holding him responsible for Yuvraj Singh’s premature exit from the Indian team. Uthappa highlighted Yuvraj’s struggles and achievements, expressing disappointment over the lack of leniency shown to the World Cup winner.

"Take Yuvi Pa’s instance. The man beat cancer and tried to make a comeback to the international side. He is the man who won us a World Cup, won us two World Cups for that matter, along with other players, but played an integral role in helping us win. Then for such a player, when you become captain, you say his lung capacity has diminished, and you have been with him when you have seen him struggle. Nobody has told me this, I observe things," Uthappa said.

Uthappa argued that Yuvraj, who overcame cancer, deserved special consideration. 

"Here is a man who deserves to be an exception because he has not just won you tournaments but has beaten cancer. He has beaten the hardest challenge in life. Some question room for someone like that," Uthappa added.

Yuvraj Singh, one of India's greatest all-rounders, was pivotal in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup wins. He famously hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in 2007 and also earned Player of the Tournament in 2011.

Uthappa Accuses Virat Kohli Of Denying Yuvraj Relaxation On Fitness Grounds  

According to Uthappa, Yuvraj requested a reduction in fitness test parameters by two points, a plea that Virat Kohli reportedly denied. 

"When Yuvi requested for that two-point deduction, he didn’t get it. Then he did the test because he was outside the team, and they weren’t taking him in. He passed the fitness test, came inside the team, had a lean tournament, and they took him out totally. Never entertained him after that. Whoever was in the leadership group didn’t entertain him. That time Virat was the leader, and it went according to him due to his strong personality," Uthappa explained.

Further, in a pointed critique of Virat Kohli's captaincy, Uthappa highlighted the former skipper's demanding leadership style, stating that players were expected to match his standards in areas like fitness, diet, and overall approach. 

Uthappa remarked that Kohli’s 'exclusive' leadership model created a high benchmark but often left players feeling let down, unlike a more 'inclusive' approach that uplifts individuals while achieving results.