Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has stirred controversy with a scathing critique of Virat Kohli’s leadership style, accusing him of sidelining Yuvraj Singh after his inspiring comeback from a battle with cancer.
He said that Kohli’s “exclusive” approach to captaincy demanded players to match his high standards in fitness, leaving little room for exceptions, even for a player of Yuvraj’s stature. Highlighting Yuvraj Singh’s invaluable contributions, including his role in India’s World Cup victories, Robin Uthappa questioned why the former captain Virat Kohli did not extend support to a player who overcame life’s toughest challenge to return to the game.
Robin Uthappa accuses Virat Kohli of sidelining Yuvraj Singh after cancer comeback
Recently, Uthappa described Kohli’s captaincy as demanding and exclusive, saying the Indian batting icon expected players to meet his high standards in fitness, discipline, and mindset. According to the former Indian batter, there are two types of leaders: those who set a standard for others to reach and those who guide and elevate others to the desired level.
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Uthappa mentioned that both approaches can succeed, but the exclusive style often leaves some feeling left out, and that was the case for the legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. The former Indian batter, who played with both the cricketing icons, hailed Yuvraj’s comeback after beating cancer and questioned why he wasn’t given more support.
He emphasized that while maintaining high standards as a captain is important, exceptions should be made for someone who overcame life’s toughest challenges. Uthappa expressed disappointment that Yuvraj wasn’t treated as an exception by Virat despite his immense contributions to Team India.
‘You say his lung capacity has diminished’: Robin Uthappa
Speaking on Lallantop, Robin Uthappa said, “Take Yuvi Pa’s instance. The man beat cancer, and he is trying to come back into the international side. He is the man who played an integral role in helping us win the World Cups. 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.
“When you are captain, yes, you have to maintain a level of standard, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Here is a man who deserves to be an exception because he has not just beaten and won you tournaments, but he has beaten cancer. He has beaten the hardest challenge in life in that sense.”
Furthermore, Robin Uthappa also criticized Virat Kohli for not supporting Yuvraj Singh’s return to the Indian cricket team after his battle with cancer. He revealed that Yuvraj had requested a slight relaxation in the fitness test, but Kohli denied it. Uthappa also claimed that Kohli influenced the decisions, and Yuvraj was then never given the opportunity to prove himself.
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Robin Uthappa explains Why Virat Kohli’s “Exclusive” leadership style failed Yuvraj Singh
Uthappa noted, “So, when Yuvi requested 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 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, and that time it was according to him.”
In the end, Uthappa compared the leadership styles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, calling the former Indian skipper’s approach “exclusive” and the current skipper’s “inclusive.” Uthappa noted that Kohli’s “my way or the highway” attitude as captain focused more on results than on how players were treated, but Rohit’s leadership is about building a team where everyone feels valued.