New Delhi: Yuvraj Singh one of Indian cricket’s most celebrated all-rounders and a two-time World Cup winner, has opened up about a deeply personal phase of his career when playing for the national team no longer brought him joy and instead felt like a burden. Speaking candidly on former tennis star Sania Mirza’s YouTube show Serving It Up With SaniaYuvraj reflected on the emotional and mental toll that followed his peak years, revealing how a lack of enjoyment and support ultimately led him to step away from the game.

A career defined by World Cup glory

Yuvraj Singh occupies a special place in Indian cricket history. He was a central figure in India’s triumphs at the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, tournaments that transformed him into a national icon.

The 2007 T20 World Cup saw Yuvraj redefine power-hitting in the shortest format. His record-breaking six sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad remain one of cricket’s most replayed moments. In the same tournament, his blistering 12-ball fifty against England showcased a fearless approach that set the tone for India’s maiden T20 World Cup title.

If 2007 highlighted his batting explosiveness, the 2011 World Cup underlined his value as a complete all-rounder. Yuvraj produced a series of match-winning performances across the subcontinent, scoring 362 runs and claiming 15 wickets during the tournament. His consistency with both bat and ball earned him the Player of the Tournament award, playing a decisive role in India lifting the World Cup after 28 years.

The difficult years after the peak

Despite the extraordinary highs, Yuvraj’s career trajectory changed significantly in the years following the 2011 World Cup. Around a year after India’s triumph, he found himself in and out of the national side, struggling for consistent selection and form. This period coincided with one of the toughest battles of his life — a fight against cancer.

Yuvraj was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2011, a revelation that shocked the cricketing world. Although he made a determined comeback after undergoing treatment, the illness took a heavy toll on his body and performance. Regaining peak fitness proved challenging, and the demands of international cricket became increasingly difficult to manage.

He continued to represent India intermittently until 2017, but the spark that once defined his game was harder to sustain. Two years later, in 2019, Yuvraj officially announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly two decades.

“My career had become a burden”

In his conversation with Sania Mirza, Yuvraj spoke with striking honesty about the emotional strain he experienced during his later years. He admitted that there came a point when he no longer enjoyed playing for India, something that deeply conflicted with his identity as a cricketer.

“I got to that space where my career had become a burden. So, I was not enjoying my game. It’s a very thin line,” Yuvraj said. He questioned his own motivation, wondering why he continued to play when the joy had faded. According to him, the absence of support and a feeling of being undervalued only intensified his internal struggle.

“I was not feeling supported. I was not feeling respected. And I feel, ‘Why do I need to do this when I don’t have it?’” he said, reflecting on the mental exhaustion that accompanied his physical challenges.

Choosing peace over persistence

Yuvraj emphasised that his decision to step away from the game was not driven by a lack of gratitude. On the contrary, he acknowledged that cricket had given him everything — fame, success and unforgettable memories. However, he felt that continuing without passion was doing more harm than good.

“When the game has given me so much, I’ve given my best. So why am I lingering on to something that I’m not enjoying? Why do I need to play? To prove what?” he said. He admitted that he had reached his limits both mentally and physically, and persisting further was painful.

The turning point, according to Yuvraj, came the moment he decided to stop. “It was hurting me, so I decided to stop. The day I decided to stop, I was myself again,” he said, suggesting that walking away helped him rediscover balance and peace.

A story that resonates beyond cricket

Yuvraj Singh’s reflections have struck a chord with fans and athletes alike, highlighting the often-unseen mental health challenges faced by elite sportspeople. His journey underscores that even the most successful careers can carry hidden struggles, and that recognising personal limits is as important as chasing achievements.

Conclusion

From World Cup heroics to battling cancer and confronting burnout, Yuvraj Singh’s career is a testament to resilience in its many forms. His candid admission about losing motivation serves as a powerful reminder that stepping away can sometimes be the bravest decision of all. Even as his playing days ended, Yuvraj’s legacy as one of India’s greatest match-winners remains firmly intact.