Yograj Singh, former Indian cricketer and father of legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, is back in the headlines for his unfiltered and outspoken views. His latest comments about why players are retiring early in the modern era have sparked a huge controversy.
The 68-year-old has shockingly blamed the wives and kids for the players deciding to end their professional careers early. He completely declined the age factor, as Yograj Singh believes that as long as a player has hunger, passion, and discipline, they can continue playing for as long as they want.
Women should not come between a player and his career: Yograj Singh
In a bold yet problematic statement, Yograj Singh openly suggested that women should not come between a player and his career because they push them to focus on home and children, even when they are physically fit and capable of performing at the top level.
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Yograj Singh was quoted as saying by InsideSport, “I have seen people in India going, ‘We are getting old after turning 40.’ Women go out of shape when they turn 30, saying their kids have grown up. What can we do? I started this regimen in my gym, where I am a director, and I consciously decided to bring the senior citizens into shape. How can one relate playing the game to the age?”
The former cricketer added, “You know what happens: your ladies of the house, your wives, they start coaching you, telling you it’s time to retire, time to look after the family and the kids. So, I believe women should not come in between the legendary prospect of an athlete, fakir, or player; yeh dono ka koi dharam nahi hai, warg nahi hai (noble men and players don’t have any religion); they belong to God. As long as they live, they can do a lot of things.”
Laanat hai zindagi bhar: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma targetted
Meanwhile, the legendary all-rounder’s father has then turned the focus to the modern-era legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, he has not directly involved their families but said that “they want to quit” while calling the age factor a “funny” concept in India.
Taking an indirect dig at Rohit and Kohli, who both now play only ODI cricket, Yograj said, “Laanat hai zindagi bhar. Make the world realize that you are the best, that you are indispensable. Even if you are fifty years old and still scoring a double hundred, no one will drop you.”
Hats off to him: Yograj Singh takes U-turn on MS Dhoni
He also praised MS Dhoni, saying the former India captain has set the benchmark for fitness and discipline. Yograj even went on to claim that Dhoni could easily continue playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for the next decade because of his fitness with the right discipline and dedication.
Yograj signed off by saying, “I still see his forearm, amazing man. Who the hell are people to tell him to retire? No. As far as cricket is concerned, hats off to him.”
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