“I Wasn’t Enjoying Cricket Anymore”: Yuvraj Singh Opens Up on His Sudden Retirement

Yuvraj Singh, one of the most vibrant all-rounders in Indian cricket, took everyone by surprise when he abruptly decided to retire from cricket in June 2019. Now, almost six years later, Yuvraj has revealed for the first time why he took such a drastic decision. The former cricketer admitted that he had been feeling lonely, helpless, and disrespected.

The last international match that Yuvraj Singh played for India was after the 2017 Champions Trophy. He was subsequently removed from the Indian team. Though he was still playing in the IPL, his association with cricket was gradually severed. Finally, in June 2019, he announced his retirement from international cricket and the IPL.

These are the insights that Yuvraj Singh shared on Sania Mirza's YouTube podcast, "Serving It Up with Sania." During the conversation, Sania recalled a dinner meeting in Hyderabad and asked about a time when Yuvraj wasn't playing to his full potential.

Yuvraj said, "To be honest, I wasn't enjoying my game at that time. I questioned why I was playing. I wasn't getting support or respect. When I felt I wasn't able to move forward, there was no point in forcing myself." He further explained that cricket had given him a lot, but when the same sport began to cause mental and physical distress, it wasn't worth sticking with. Yuvraj said, "I started asking myself, 'What do I have to prove? I couldn't do more.'"

Yuvraj explained that when he realized he couldn't continue, he decided to retire that very day. Sharing his experiences with golf after cricket, Yuvraj said that the sport is like freedom for him. He described golf as a sport he plays solely for himself, without the pressure of any country or team. Playing with friends, the light-hearted competition, and the feeling of hitting long shots remind him of hitting sixes in cricket. According to Yuvraj, golf gives him mental peace and helps him stay fit.