Yuvraj And Dhoni Are Not Close Friend, What Yuvraj Said?

In a recent interview on Saturday, the former Indian all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh, shared something surprising. He said that he and MS Dhoni are not very close friends.

Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni are well-known for their roles in India’s World Cup victories. Dhoni was the captain in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Yuvraj was a key player in the first World T20 tournament and was named the Player of the Tournament in 2011.

Even though both have retired from international cricket, they are considered India’s best middle-order batsmen in white-ball cricket. However, there have been questions about Yuvraj and Dhoni’s personal relationship due to some revelations made in the last couple of years. In the recent interview, Yuvraj Singh revealed that he and Dhoni are not very close friends.

What Yuvraj Singh Said About Dhoni?

During a conversation on TRS Clips on YouTube, Yuvraj Singh revealed that his friendship with MS Dhoni was primarily due to cricket, and they weren’t very close off the field due to their different lifestyles. Yuvraj admitted that when Dhoni was the captain, and he was the vice-captain, they often had disagreements about on-field decisions. However, he appreciated a crucial conversation with Dhoni just before the 2019 World Cup, where Dhoni honestly told him that the selectors weren’t considering him for the squad.

Yuvraj mentioned, “In between the captain and the vice-captain, there would be differences in decisions. Sometimes he made decisions that I did not like, sometimes I made decisions that he did not like, and that is true for every team,” reflecting on their playing days.

Yuvraj Singh on his friendship with dhoni 😯 pic.twitter.com/O0Indl23oY
— Vishvajit (@RutuEra7) November 4, 2023

Despite their differences, Yuvraj Singh credited MS Dhoni for being the only person who provided clarity in the final days of his cricket career, especially before the 2019 World Cup.

How Yuvraj Singh Appreciated Ms Dhoni?

Towards the end of my cricket career, when I was uncertain about my future, I approached MS Dhoni for advice. He was candid with me and told me that the selection committee wasn’t considering me at that point. I was grateful that he spoke the truth,” Yuvraj shared.

Yuvraj went on to say, “You don’t have to be best friends to perform for the team. When you’re on the field, you need to set aside your personal feelings and ego and focus on playing the game.” This statement highlights the professionalism and commitment both players had when representing the Indian cricket team.

Let’s See Some Iconic Partnerships Between Yuvraj And Dhoni

Yuvraj and Dhoni formed one of the most iconic partnerships in Indian cricket history. They were known for their ability to rescue India from difficult situations, particularly in limited-overs cricket. Here are some memorable partnerships between Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni:

ICC T20 World Cup 2007 – Final vs. Pakistan: In the final of the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup, Yuvraj and Dhoni combined to put on a crucial partnership. Yuvraj scored a quick 14-ball 38, while Dhoni played a captain’s knock of 21 not out off 20 balls. Their partnership helped India post a competitive total, which ultimately led to India winning the tournament.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – Quarterfinal vs. Australia: In a high-pressure quarterfinal match, Yuvraj and Dhoni batted sensibly to chase down a target set by Australia. Yuvraj scored 57 not out, while Dhoni played a steady knock of 74 not out. Their partnership guided India to a comfortable victory and a spot in the semifinals.
NatWest Series Final 2002 vs. England: This partnership took place early in their careers and showcased their potential. In the final of the NatWest Series, Yuvraj (69) and Dhoni (82 not out) combined to help India chase down a challenging target of 325. Dhoni hit the winning runs with a boundary, and their partnership remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket.
India vs. England, 2nd ODI 2008: In this match, Yuvraj (118) and Dhoni (134) put on a massive partnership of 256 runs. Their partnership helped India post a formidable total of 387/5. India went on to win the match by a significant margin.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 – Group Stage vs. Bermuda: In this World Cup match, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni had a record-breaking partnership of 97 runs off just 5.3 overs. Yuvraj scored 83 not out, while Dhoni contributed with a quick 37 not out. This partnership was instrumental in helping India register a commanding win.

Yuvraj And Dhoni Retairement From International Cricket

MS Dhoni

Retirement Date: MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020.
Career Highlights: Dhoni is widely regarded as one of India’s greatest cricket captains. He led India to numerous successes, including the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor on the field and his finishing abilities with the bat.

International Career Batting Stats (ODIs):

Matches: 350
Runs: 10,773
Batting Average: 50.57
Centuries: 10
Fifties: 73

International Career Batting Stats (T20Is):

Matches: 98
Runs: 1,617
Batting Average: 37.60
Fifties: 2

Yuvraj Singh

Retirement Date: Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from international cricket on June 10, 2019.
Career Highlights: Yuvraj is best known for his exceptional performance in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. He was awarded the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup. Yuvraj overcame health challenges to make a successful comeback to the Indian team after battling cancer.

International Career Batting Stats (ODIs)

Matches: 304
Runs: 8,701
Batting Average: 36.55
Centuries: 14
Fifties: 52

International Career Batting Stats (T20Is)

Matches: 58
Runs: 1,177
Batting Average: 28.02
Fifties: 8

Both Dhoni and Yuvraj had illustrious careers, contributing significantly to India’s success in international cricket, particularly in winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.

Conclusion

In a recent interview, Yuvraj Singh revealed that his friendship with MS Dhoni was primarily based on their shared love for cricket, despite not being very close off the field due to differing lifestyles. Despite their differences, their on-field partnership and professional commitment left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Both Dhoni and Yuvraj had remarkable careers, contributing to India’s international successes, and their legacy as cricketing legends endures.