Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket came suddenly. But they could've continued playing for 5 more years, believed Yograj Singh, former India international and father of Yuvraj Singh. 

While Virat is able to maintain the highest order and is active at the age of 36, Rohit's fitness remains a concern. To increase the fitness level, Yograj claimed that he advised Rohit on some tips, like waking up early in the morning and working hard physically. 

According to the latest media report, Singh said, "Virat and Rohit shouldn’t have retired from Tests. I told Rohit to get up at 5 AM and run for 20 km to keep himself fit. Virat and Rohit can still play for another 5 years in Test cricket. They should have played. They should be there to see that the baton is passed to the youngsters. The baton has not been passed; it has been thrown to Gill." 

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Rohit and Virat's retirements from the longest format of the game put pressure on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (India), as Team India is scheduled to play England from June 20. At first, the board officials had to find a suitable candidate for the captaincy role. For that, they chose Shubman Gill. Though Kohli's replacement is yet to be confirmed. 

Baton thrown to Gill!

Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, and Virat's announcement came on May 12, which offered very little time to BCCI to restore the Test setup, and the team now has been going through the transition phase in a sudden manner. For that reason, Yograj said, "They should be there to see that the baton is passed to the youngsters." The baton has not been passed; it has been thrown to Gill." 

From June 20, India will face England at Leeds for the first match of the five-match Test series. The series will test Gill as the captain and the team's resilience and performance without Sharma and Kohli. 

When the entire cricketing world was stunned to see a 14-year-old boy create havoc in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), Yograj Singh, father of former Indian international Yuvraj Singh, made some shocking comments in an interview.

Yograj was clearly not impressed with the lightning-fast innings by the batter recruited by Rajasthan Royals (RR). Vaibhav Suryavanshi, at just 14 years and 23 days, made his IPL debut in RR colors against Lucknow Super Giants. Nine days after the debut game, Suryavanshi showed what he could do with the bat. The cricketer from Bihar encrypted the fastest hundred in the history of the tournament by an Indian batsman. The record-breaking ton against Gujarat Titans came after playing only 35 deliveries.

Overall, Suryavanshi bagged a total of 252 runs for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. Even after the conclusion of IPL 2025, recent reports suggested that he smashed 190 runs off just 90 balls in BCCI's Center of Excellence, Bengaluru, ahead of the India U19 tour to England. 

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Yograj's thoughts about the future of Vaibhav Suryavanshi

After all that, Yograj was not impressed. Because he wanted to scale a batter according to the standards of a Test match. 

"My vision is Test cricket. Can you survive five days? That's the real test. 50 overs—fair enough. 20 overs—fair enough. I don't go by these formats. But since they (formats) are there, you should be fit enough to play all three formats. Why do you struggle? Because you are only concentrating on T20, IPL, and 50 overs. Aaj toh 50 overs bhi nahi khel sakte hum log (Today, we cannot even play 50 overs). That's the way we are," Yograj said via Insidesport.

The amount of talent Vinod Kambli possessed, cricket fans are still wondering how massive he could be. Without a disciplined daily life or routine, no one can sustain for a long time; Kambli was not exceptional. Still, at present, his controversial lifestyle has become a talking point among cricket fans.

The downfall of Vinod Kambli is a lesson for every budding sportsman, especially for the young cricketers. Former cricketer and father of former India international Yuvraj Singh, Yograj Singh has recalled some incidents about Vinod Kambli.

Yograj claimed on camera that he warned Kambli multiple times about his bad habits and poor lifestyle, but Kambli was then in a different dimension and did not care about any suggestions.

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Singh said in an interview, "I suggested Vinod Kambli stop partying, smoking cigarettes, and going to the girls; otherwise, you will be finished, and you will be crying." He told me that now he is the king and that my time is over." 

Played his last Test before 24

When Kambli was young and about to come under the spotlight, people were crazy to see his footwork. The Mumbaikar's Test career took very little time to launch. In his first seven Tests, he got two double centuries and two single ones. During that cricketing era, Kambili's batting style and flashy shot-making were new to the cricket world.

Once, he smashed legendary Shane Warne for 22 runs in an over but played his last Test in 1995 before he had turned 24. In fact, he never got the chance to play an ODI match for India after October 2000 and retired from international cricket in 2009. 

Watch the interview here

🚨INSIDESPORT EXCLUSIVE🚨

YOGRAJ SINGH SAID:

“I suggested Vinod Kambli to stop partying, smoking cigarettes and going to the girls, otherwise you will be finished and you will be crying. He told me that now he is the king and that my time was over” #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/hx0KQNBVzC

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) June 11, 2025

Yograj Singh, father of Yuvraj Singh, blasted Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer for his cheap dismissal at the all-important final of IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

When PBKS was looking under control, Iyer threw his wicket cheaply and went back to the dugout for a 2-ball one. Which later proved costly for the team when they lost by only 6 runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Expectations were high for Iyer, especially after his heroic knock in the Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians. But in the summit clash, he fell short for a harmless length delivery from Romario Shepherd. For Yograj, in a final match, the way Iyer dismissed it was a criminal offense. He simply can't tolerate this kind of approach in a title decider match.

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"The shot that Shreyas Iyer played in the final was a criminal offense, according to me. Ashok Mankad told me about this criminal offense, which comes under Section 302. He also told me that the repercussions of this are that you will be banned for two matches. What Shreyas did yesterday is not acceptable. There is no apology for that," Yograj Said.

Shreyas Iyer wants to make a even stronger comeback 

Though the right-handed batter has made an apology to their fans and promises to make an even stronger comeback in the next season. PBKS skipper appreciated his players for the dominating performance Punjab Kings displayed throughout the IPL 2025, and he showed confidence in young talents to claim glory for the team from Punjab. 

"The job is still half done; we have to be here and win the trophy next year. Positives: definitely the way we turned up and every individual stepping up and saying that he can win the match. There are so many youngsters in the team; I'm sure they've gained a lot of experience from these matches. I'm sure when they come next year, they will carry immense experience with them. We can build some tactics and strategies around that so that we can play some decent cricket," Shreyas Iyer said after the match. 

Former Indian cricketer and father of the legendary T20 and ODI World Cup-winning Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, Yograj Singh, feels that Rohit Sharma retired too early, like the former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.

Rohit Sharma isn't only a great Indian batter but also one of the greatest captains. He is the only captain to lead a team in all formats of ICC tournament finals. Apart from finishing as the runners-up in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, Rohit Sharma-led India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.   

The greatest players should play till 50 years of age: Yograj Singh

Starting his international career as a middle-order batter, Rohit established himself as one of the greatest Indian openers in every format. He has already retired from T20I and Test cricket, and is only active in the ODI format as a captain. While Rohit recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, just before the beginning of India's tour of England, Yograj Singh feels that Rohit and Virender Sehwag should play more international cricket, as they retired earlier despite being the greatest players.

Yograj told ANI, "Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag are two people who retired too early. The greatest players should play till 50 years of age. I'm sad about their retirement, as no one is left to motivate the youngsters now."

See Also: Mohammed Shami replies to fake narrative of him retiring from Test cricket

Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag retired after 37 

While Rohit has retired from T20I and Test cricket at the ages of 37 and 38 years, respectively, Sehwag announced his retirement from the game on his 37th birthday. However, unlike the Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Sehwag was already out of the Indian team for more than two years during his retirement from international cricket. 

Rohit and Sehwag both are known for their aggressive batting approaches, which Rohit modified massively lately, while Sehwag had the natural fearless character. At the end of their Test retirement, Sehwag (90 sixes) and Rohit (88 sixes) are standing in the top two positions in the list of most Test sixes by Indians.  

Yuvraj Singh's father, Yograj Singh, has made a huge claim about Arjun Tendulkar's future. Arjun Tendulkar, son of legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Yograj believes if his son, Yuvraj Singh, coached Arjun, then junior Tendulkar could be the next Chris Gayle. 

Unlike Sachin, Arjun prepares himself mainly as a bowling all-rounder. Being a child of a sports legend, Arjun had to handle a lot of pressure when he first stepped onto the field in the Mumbai Indians' blue and gold jersey in IPL 2023. 

The left-handed bowler and batter, now 25, so far his career trajectory is pretty underwhelming. He didn't prove his talent enough with Mumbai Indians and in the domestic circuit as well. In 5 matches for the Mumbai-based franchise, he took only 3 wickets and claimed 13 runs in one inning. 

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Keeping an eye on Arjun Tendulkar's career, Yograj Singh predicted the career path can be changed drastically if his son takes the charge. For example, Yograj said about Abhishek Sharma, who was scouted by Yuvraj. Taking one step further, Yograj even said that Arjun can be transformed from a bowler to the next Chris Gayle. 

"With regard to Arjun, I said, Focus less on his bowling and more on his batting. But if Yuvraj—he and Sachin are so close—takes Sachin's son under his wings for three months, I bet he will become the next Chris Gayle. Often it happens that a fast bowler, if he undergoes a stress fracture, cannot bowl as effectively. I think that Arjun should be handed over to Yuvraj for a while," Yograj Singh said in an interview.

Yograj Singh said about Abhishek Sharma's early days

Yograj revealed how Yuvi scouted Sharma from age group tournaments arranged by the Punjab Cricket Association. 

"When we asked about a list of Abhishek Sharma's performances from the PCA and the coaches,. Do you know what they said? Sir, he is a bowler. He bowls. Yuvi said, 'You just look at his performance records.' So, when we saw the record, Abhishek already had 24 hundreds. Yuvi said, 'Why are you giving wrong information? Why? This man has made 24 centuries'. This was six or seven years ago," Yograj informed. 

Indian Team captain Rohit Sharma is considered a global figure in the sports industry. Recently India won their last Champions Trophy league match against New Zealand beating them by 44 runs. The victory of the match wasn't yet slatted another controversy sparked. The Congress spokesperson Mohammad Shama made a controversial statement on Rohit Sharma stating "Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had,

Once the tweet was posted by her it took a mass recognition and flawless comments were flooded on X. This showed the mass outrage of the fans for the person who gave the glory of the second T20 World Cup for India in 2024 which happened in West Indies. After such huge flooded comments, the Congress Party took immediate action and stated that the remarks were from a single-person point of view, neither the party nor its members would degrade our national players and said to remove the tweet. 

Read More: Jos Butler Pens Down From England Captaincy

Shabana Mohammad Deletes The Tweet

After the outrage from fans and ex-cricketers she had to delete the tweet immediately and condemn that she didn't say anything wrong in that. It was a generic remark by her side. She moves on to say she had seen previous captains like Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly, Ms Dhoni and Virat Kohli who set the standards by their fitness complex into their captaincy. In a democratic country like India we have all the rights to speak. 

Further concluding she said I am not body shaming anyone here but look at your captain and say what I said wasn't wrong. The current ruling party didn't go back BJP, their spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari too commented on her remark stating Shame on Congress Now they are behind our Indian captain, Now do they expect Rahul Gandhi to play cricket after failing in politics? And using words like mediocre to our captain. 

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 Former Cricketer Yograj Singh Comes For Support

Former cricketer Yograj singh lashed Shabana Mohammad who deligated the Indian captain Rohit Sharma. He said people aren't ashamed stating these types of comments to our cricketers who represent our team globally such people should be given severe punishments. You are from political fertinity you should focus more on that. 

They have no right to say these types of things, Cricket is considered a religion in India there were a lot of things said to our cricketers when they lost against New Zealand and Australia its a game it happens. If I were the Prime Minister of India, I would have asked them to pack their bags and leave my country immediately. 

Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh, father of the legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, has once again hit the trending page but for a slightly different reason. Recently, he slammed former Pakistan cricket stars Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar for criticising the Pakistan team.

India vs Pakistan cricket matches have the same old craze, but the recent on-field performances have shown clear differences between both teams. India are dominating the world cricket with on-field performances, while the Pakistan cricket team lacks seriousness on the field. The differences between teams are clearly visible as India have recently dominated Pakistan in every competition. While they don't play bilateral series due to political issues, they only face each other in the ICC or ACC tournaments, and since 2022, India have always dominated. 

See Also: They Were Eating Plate Full Of Bananas In Drinks Break Which Shocked Me Says Wasim Akram

I challenge you—bring Pakistan a World Cup. If you can’t, step away: Yograj Singh on Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar

In the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India thrashed the hosts and defending champions Pakistan by six wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. While Pakistan players completely struggled against the Indian team, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar both heavily criticised Pakistan players for their poor performances. Both the former Pakistan stars seemed frustrated with the lack of seriousness for the game. 

However, Yograj Singh slammed Akram and Akhtar for their comments on Pakistan players. Yograj believes that it is better to work for them and bring a world cup for the country. 

Yograj was quoted saying to SportsNext, “Wasim Akram, a player of such stature, making such degrading remarks? And people around him laughing? They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, you are comparing Pakistan’s players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Instead of sitting in a studio, go back to your country and train young cricketers. I challenge you—bring Pakistan a World Cup. If you can’t, step away.”

If I go there, I will make the team better within a year: Yograj Singh

Yograj further added that he would make a better team within a year with passionate training and commitment. 

Former Indian cricketer commented, "If I go there, I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me for it. Training is about passion, about dedicating your time to the players. I give 12 hours a day to training. That’s the commitment needed.”

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram, who was an important name for Pakistan's World Cup 1992 trophy success, previously worked for Pakistan fast bowling coaching. He also worked for several Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams. Just like him, another former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis, also worked with the Pakistan cricket team.

Not long ago, Pakistan cricket had the coaches like Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie. However, the situation in the Pakistan cricket team is only getting worse with time, despite several big changes inside the team. 

There has always been a great connection between cricket and cinema in India, as many cricketers have attempted to try their hands at the silver screen. While some had short assignments in acting, others made significant contributions with films and television. From World Cup heroes to fast bowlers, almost all players crossed over from the pitch to the big screen. Here's a look at Indian cricketers who ventured into the world of entertainment once they left the sports field. 

1. Salil Ankola (India)
Represented India as a fast bowler in the late 1980s.
Quit cricket due to injuries and entered the film world.
Acted in Bollywood films such as Kurukshetra (2000) and Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (2003).
He also had a good career in television with shows like Karam Apnaa Apnaa and CID.
2. Yograj Singh (India)
Ex-Indian fast bowler and father of Yuvraj Singh.
Quit cricket after a short international career.
Became a well-known actor, mostly in Punjabi films.
Featured in Bollywood movies like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) and Singh is Bling (2015).
3. Sandeep Patil (India)
Hero of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team.
Quit cricket and acted in Kabhi Ajnabi The (1985), a Bollywood film.
The movie bombed, and he turned to coaching and cricket administration.
4. Syed Kirmani (India)
India's 1983 World Cup-winning wicketkeeper.
Acted in Kabhi Ajnabi The (1985) along with Sandeep Patil.
Left acting and pursued cricket administration only.
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5.Salim Durani
A dashing Indian all-rounder known for his ability to hit sixes.
Featured in India's historic Test match victory against England in 1971.
He quit cricketing and acted in "Charitra" (1973) opposite Parveen Babi
Did not carry on his film career actively
6. Ajay Jadeja
Former Indian cricketer who was quite a batsman and fielder.
Involved in a spot-fixing case, which landed him a suspended cricket ban.
Made his Bollywood debut in "Khel" (2003) along with Sunny Deol and Suniel Shetty.
He also featured in "Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat" (2009), but acting did not continue.
7. S. Sreesanth
Indian fast bowler known for his aggression and swing bowling.
A life ban was served for IPL spot-fixing, although reduced later.
Created a career for himself in Bollywood with films such as "Aksar 2" (2017) and "Cabaret" (2019).
Featured in South Indian film fraternity and took part in reality shows like Bigg Boss 12.
8. Kirti Azad
He was a member of the squad that won India the 1983 World Cup.
Featured in "Kabhie Ajnabi The" (1985).
Did not continue acting and later became a politician.

Yograj Singh, the father of former cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has often criticized MS Dhoni in the past. He accused Dhoni of sidelining his son during the latter years of Yuvraj’s career and even compared it to how Kapil Dev allegedly treated him during his time as a player. Yograj believed that after Yuvraj recovered from cancer, he could have played for a few more years, but Dhoni and later Virat Kohli did not give him that opportunity.

Read Also: Yograj Singh Took a Pistol to Confront Kapil Dev

However, in a recent interview on the YouTube channel Unfiltered by Samdish, Yograj surprised many by praising Dhoni. He highlighted Dhoni’s fearless nature and leadership qualities. Sharing an example from a match in Australia, he said,

“What I liked the most about him was that he was a fearless man. If you remember, he was hit on the grill by Mitchell Johnson, and he didn’t move an inch. The very next ball, he pulled him for a six. There are very few people like him.”

Yograj also acknowledged Dhoni’s ability as a captain, saying,

“I find Dhoni to be a very motivated leader who knew how to guide his team. The best thing about him was that he could read the pitch and advise bowlers where to bowl.”

This is one of the rare occasions where Yograj has spoken positively about Dhoni, contrasting with his earlier statements blaming Dhoni for Yuvraj’s premature exit from the team.

I like dhoni, he was fearless: Yograj Singh pic.twitter.com/GDvmYKWc3Y

— GUY (@OLDTWEETGUY) January 12, 2025

In this interview on Unfiltered by Samdish, Yograj Singh shared many surprising insights about his cricketing journey, his strained relationship with Kapil Dev, and his bond with his son, Yuvraj Singh. He discussed the politics he faced as a cricketer and how similar struggles impacted Yuvraj’s career.

Currently, 66-year-old Yograj Singh runs a cricket academy in Chandigarh under his name, where he trains aspiring cricketers. Known for his strict and disciplined coaching style, he focuses on building strong personalities and shaping young talent into skilled players with a tough and determined mindset.

Read Also : Captain Rohit Sharma Travels to Pakistan?

Yograj Singh, a fast bowler in the 1980s, played 1 Test match and 6 ODIs for India. However, he ended his career early, saying there was politics in the team. He claimed that some teammates in leadership roles made things difficult for him, which forced him to leave cricket sooner than he wanted.