NEW DELHI — Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh (44) has finally broken his silence on the emotional toll that led to his retirement in June 2019. Speaking on the podcast ‘Serving It Up With Sania’, hosted by tennis icon Sania Mirza, Yuvraj moved beyond the usual statistics to describe a “deeper exhaustion” that made the sport he loved feel like a burden.
The interview, which surfaced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, paints a picture of a champion who chose peace over prestige, revealing that the decision to walk away wasn’t about failing fitness, but a fading spirit.
1. The “Respect” Factor: Why Yuvi Quit
Yuvraj’s exit followed his exclusion from the 2019 ODI World Cup squad, but he clarifies that the “why” was internal.
- The Obligation: “I was not enjoying my game. I had a feeling that why am I playing cricket when I’m not enjoying it? I was not feeling supported. I was not feeling respected,” Yuvraj confessed.
- Mental Burnout: He described the sport as “hurting” him toward the end. “I felt, why do I need to do this when I don’t have this? To prove what? I can’t do more than this, mentally or physically.”
- The Aftermath: His most striking realization came post-retirement: “The day I stopped, I was myself again.”
2. Healing the Father-Son Bond
The conversation delved into his complex relationship with his father, Yograj Singh, a former cricketer known for his legendary (and often controversial) strictness.
- Coach vs. Father: Yuvraj admitted that the paternal bond was lost once training began. “When I was a kid, he was a father. When he started coaching me, he was never a father after that, he was a coach. That’s probably the saddest part.”
- Breaking the Cycle: Yuvraj credited his wife, Hazel Keech, for helping him be a more present and gentle parent to their children. “She encouraged me… saying that doing these things (changing nappies, feeding) would strengthen my bond with the kids. She was right.”
3. The Navjot Singh Sidhu Incident
Yuvraj also reflected on the famous story of Navjot Singh Sidhu dismissing his talent when he was just 13.
- Then vs. Now: While his father famously took the critique as a personal insult—fueling years of grueling training—Yuvraj offers a more mature perspective today.
- Perspective: “Now, when I look back, I just think he didn’t have the time to have a proper look at me. He was just being nice to my dad… I was 13-14, just figuring out a sport. I don’t take it personally.”
Mentorship: Shaping the Future (Abhishek Sharma)
Despite his own exit from the field, Yuvraj remains deeply involved as a mentor, specifically to rising star Abhishek Sharma.
- The Long Game: Yuvraj revealed he has been working on a four-year plan with Abhishek. “I told him, I’m not here to motivate you for the IPL. You can play for India, and that’s why I’m here.”
- Comparison: Yuvraj noted that while Shubman Gill was already an established talent when they worked together, Abhishek’s journey has required a more curated, long-term technical and mental shift.