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Yuvraj Singh has opened up on how captaincy decisions can often defy expectations, recalling the moment MS Dhoni was appointed India captain “from nowhere” despite several senior options in the side and him being the vice-captain and next in line to become captain. Speaking on a podcast with Sports Tak, Yuvraj used the example while discussing modern-day captaincy debates, particularly around Abhishek Sharma not being handed leadership duties in the absence of Pat Cummins, with Ishan Kishan instead taking charge. Yuvraj admitted that such decisions can be difficult from a player’s perspective, especially for those who have contributed consistently over the years. “It is disappointing. I love Ishan Kishan. I have seen his growth as well in Indian cricket, his comeback as well. If I give you an example, switch this from a player’s perspective — say if Abhishek Sharma, before the World Cup, came into the team, made his state team win, scored a hundred in the final, came into the World Cup team, Abhishek scored runs and he was made captain of the franchise. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan, playing for one franchise for seven years, performed, given his heart and soul for the franchise and then state captain as well, does not get captaincy, gets vice-captaincy. Now what frame of mind he plays franchise cricket with — a bit of disappointment.” Drawing from his own experience, Yuvraj pointed out how unexpected leadership calls have always been part of Indian cricket. “But the good thing is he has good relations. For example, when I was in the Indian team, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag were seniors, I was vice-captain, but from nowhere MS Dhoni comes and becomes captain. Whatever the reasons — franchise cricket will not determine if you will captain India. But from a player’s perspective, it is disappointing. If someone has done so much for you over so many years — that.” Back in 2007, India had several experienced names in contention for leadership. However, it was Dhoni who was handed the responsibility, a move that surprised many within the team, including Yuvraj himself, who was the then vice-captain of the ODI side and was touted to take up the leadership role. The decision, though unexpected at the time, went on to redefine Indian cricket. Dhoni led a young Indian side to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, beginning one of the most successful captaincy tenures in the country’s history. Yuvraj, who was then vice-captain in the ODI setup, remained a key figure in Dhoni’s leadership era. He played a crucial role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup triumph and later emerged as Player of the Tournament in the 2011 ODI World Cup, underlining the success of that bold leadership call.
