In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cricket, the camaraderie among players often extends beyond the boundary ropes. A recent testament to this is Yuvraj Singh’s staunch support for his former teammates, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Facing a barrage of criticism due to a series of underwhelming performances, both Kohli and Sharma have found a steadfast ally in Yuvraj, who regards them as family and emphasizes the importance of standing by them during challenging times.
Yuvraj’s sentiments were encapsulated in his statement: “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are my family. And my job is to support my family and my brothers. They will definitely bounce back hard.”
This declaration underscores the deep bonds forged through shared experiences on and off the field, highlighting the significance of solidarity in the face of adversity.
The backdrop to Yuvraj’s comments is India’s recent Test series losses, including a 0-3 defeat at home against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series. These outcomes have intensified scrutiny on senior players, particularly Kohli and Sharma, whose performances have not met the lofty expectations set by their illustrious careers. Yuvraj, however, cautions against hasty judgments, reminding critics of the duo’s past contributions: “We are talking about our greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma… people forget what they have achieved in the past. They are one of the greatest cricketers of this time.”
Yuvraj’s perspective is not merely rooted in personal loyalty but also in a broader understanding of the cyclical nature of sports careers. He acknowledges that even the most accomplished athletes encounter phases of diminished form and that unwavering support during such times is crucial for their resurgence. His faith in their ability to rebound is evident: “They are getting hurt more than us… I feel that Gautam Gambhir as a coach, Ajit Agarkar as a selector, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, they are the best minds in cricket right now.”
Furthermore, Yuvraj lauds Rohit Sharma’s leadership qualities, particularly his selfless decision to exclude himself from the Sydney Test due to poor form. He interprets this move as a testament to Sharma’s commitment to the team’s welfare over personal milestones: “I think it is a big thing… this is Rohit Sharma’s greatness that he has kept the team ahead of himself.”