India’s legendary ‘Sixer King’ Yuvraj Singh, who played a pivotal role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs, has finally spoken about the emotional reason behind his retirement from international cricket in 2019.

In a candid conversation on Sania Mirza’s podcast, Yuvraj poured his heart out, revealing that despite his achievements, he was no longer finding happiness or respect in the game.

‘Cricket Was No Longer Making Me Happy’

Yuvraj admitted that towards the latter phase of his career, playing cricket stopped giving him the joy it once did.

“When you stop enjoying the game and feel you are not getting the respect you deserve, it becomes very difficult to continue,” Yuvraj hinted during the conversation.

The former all-rounder explained that mental satisfaction is just as important as performance, and once that balance was lost, retirement became inevitable.

Talent Was Questioned Even in Childhood

Yuvraj also recalled a painful chapter from his early years. He spoke about how his talent was doubted when he was just 13–14 years old. His father Yograj Singh has often mentioned that Navjot Singh Sidhu once said Yuvraj didn’t have the potential to become an international cricketer.

Reflecting on that incident, Yuvraj said:

“Now when I look back, I feel he probably didn’t get enough time to observe me properly. I never took it personally, but my father took it very seriously.”

That remark became a turning point for Yograj Singh, who then dedicated himself fully to making his son an international cricketer — a dream that Yuvraj ultimately fulfilled in spectacular fashion.

A Career Written in Gold

Despite the struggles, Yuvraj Singh’s numbers and impact speak for themselves:

• Tests: 40 matches, 1,900 runs, average 33.92

• ODIs: 304 matches, 8,701 runs, average 36.55

  • 14 centuries, 52 half-centuries

• T20Is: 58 matches, 1,177 runs

More than statistics, Yuvraj will always be remembered for his six sixes in an over, his match-winning knocks, and his comeback after battling cancer — one of the greatest stories in sports history.

Legacy Beyond Retirement

Yuvraj Singh’s revelations remind fans that even legends face emotional battles behind the scenes. His honesty has once again won hearts, proving that his courage off the field is as inspiring as his heroics on it.