'Easy to criticise, supporting them is very difficult': Yuvraj Singh's answer to harsh criticism of captain Rohit Sharma, coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli

Yuvraj Singh chose not to criticise the senior pros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir as they are family to him.

Sports Tak

• Tue • 07 Jan 2025

Virat Kohli of India and Yuvraj Singh prior to game one of the T20I series between India and Australia at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on September 20, 2022 in Mohali.

Highlights:

Yuvraj Singh said that discussions will take place after the series loss.

Yuvraj backs India to bounce back after WTC final race exit.

Yuvraj said that it is very easy to criticise players and coach but difficult to support them.

India's ODI and T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh decided not to criticise underfire India head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli. Yuvraj said that when a team fails, people forget the achievements of the past. The decorated all-rounder feels that it is upto the players, coach and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to take a call on their future in Indian cricket going forward.

"I look at what India has achieved in the last 5-6 years. They have achieved two back-to-back victories in Australia. I don't remember any team doing that. People are criticising Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli a lot, but people forget what they have achieved in the past. They are two of the greatest cricketers of this time. It's ok they lost, they are more hurt than us. I am sure India will bounce back," Yuvraj said in a clip posted by PTI

"Gautam Gambhir as coach, Ajit Agarkar as selector, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, they are the best minds in cricket right now. And they have to decide what the future of Indian cricket is. I am sure this will be discussed with BCCI, with Jay Shah and taken into consideration that what is the best way for India to move forward."

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Not criticism, support from Yuvraj

Yuvraj was asked where he would like to see some changes in the dressing room after lost the series to New Zealand, failed to retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy and couldn't make it to World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. The 43-year-old who played 40 Tests said he will support Rohit and Kohli instead of criticising them as they are his family.

"First of all I am not in that position, I was a student of the game and still am a student of the game. Gambhir, Rohit and Virat have played more cricket than me. I can only give my opinion and my opinion is that when players are not performing, it is very easy to criticise them, but supporting them is very difficult. It is the media's job to criticize them and it is my job to support my friends and brothers. For me they are my family. Simple," the southpaw said.

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Rohit scored 31 runs from five innings whereas Kohli averaged just over 23 as he was caught behind the stumps eight times in the series. There have been calls for them to get back to domestic cricket to fine-tune their skills. It will be interesting to see what steps the star duo takes with next Test series on England soil starting in June.