From scoring 6 sixes in an over off Stuart Broad at the 2007 T20 World Cup to a Player of The Tournament performance at the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yuvraj Singh etched his name into the pantheon of greats in Indian Cricket, and as one of the biggest, best match-winners for the Men in Blue.

But, in an unexpected turn of events, the former Indian all-rounder was dealt with a bout of lung cancer, seemingly derailing his illustrious career too soon. Yet, Yuvraj bounced back and fought his way back into the Indian side, only to continue with a lacklustre end to this career that came to a halt in 2019.

But, it wasn’t just the obstacles of life that Yuvraj was dealing with. According to Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli was yet another obstacle that the legendary all-rounder could not overcome.

“I think that’s speculative, in my opinion. I say so because Virat’s style of leadership was not inclusive. It was rather very exclusive," Uthappa stated in an interview with The Lallantop.

“I haven’t played under Virat very much, but he is a very very different captain. He was very ‘my way or the highway’. It’s not that others were like that too, but it’s also about how you treat your team and personnel. It’s not just about results."

Uthappa stated that the talismanic ex-captain’s high standards proved to be a fence too high for Yuvraj to cross in the latter stages of his career, thereby leading to his retirement.

“Take Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) pa’Pa’sstance. The man beat cancer and he is trying to come back to the international side. He’s a man who’s won us a World Cup, two in fact with others playing an integral role as well. Then you tell such a player, as the captain, that his lung capacity has diminished. You’ve been with him and seen him struggle."

“Nobody has told me this. I merely observe these things.

“As the captain, I understand that there are standards to maintain. But for every standard, there is an exception to the rule. Here’s a man who deserves to be an exception, because he’s not just a man who has won you tournaments but also someone who’s beaten cancer, the hardest challenge in life in a sense. How about some cushion room for someone like that? At that time, Virat did not give him that leeway." Uthappa even explained how a post-cancer Yuvraj was shown no mercy, being expected to live up to the standards that were set in place by Kohli and the others in charge — something that would lead to his exclusion and retirement soon after.

“Yuvraj was told to do the fitness test, and even his request to drop the levels by two points due to his state of being was denied."

“Yuvraj took on the challenge and said that he would do the test without the deductions. Because he wanted to be a part of the team again. Then, he passed the fitness test, came into the team and after one lean tournament, he was removed completely." Uthappa added.

“After that, the thought of bringing him back in was not even entertained. The entire leadership group did not entertain the thought. Virat was the leader then, and it went according to his words because he is such a powerful presence."