Former Indian All-rounder Yuvraj Singh has claimed that while he and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are not friends, but there is no love lost between the pair.
Yuvraj Singh has revealed in an interview that he doesn't consider himself and his former colleague Mahendra Singh Dhoni "close friends". However, continues the former Indian international, that there is no ill intent between the two, and that he even asked his ex-captain for advice on occasions. (IND Vs RSA Match Blog | Streaming | Scorecard | Key Battles | Full Coverage)
"Me and Mahi are not close friends. We were friends because of cricket, we played together. Mahi's lifestyle was very different from me, so we were never close friends, we were only friends because of cricket. When me and Mahi went on the ground, we gave more than 100% to our country. In that, he was captain, I was vice-captain. When I came into the team, I was 4 years junior. When you are captain and vice-captain, there will be decision differences," Yuvraj said.
"Sometimes he made decisions I didn't like, sometimes I made decisions he didn't like. That happens in every team. When I was at the end of my career, when I wasn't getting the right picture about my career, I asked him for advice. He was the guy who told me that the selection committee is not looking you right now. I was like, at least I got to know the real picture. This is just before 2019 World Cup. That is the reality."
Yuvraj Singh's comments did, however, raise the eyebrows of many cricket fans, especially considering his father, Yograj Singh's, open disdain for Dhoni. Yograj's comments in the past likened Dhoni to Ravana, with him claiming that he has never seen a more terrible person.
“There was a time when he had nothing but today he sits in front of media and rips off the media persons. He laughs at media who has given him so much hype. He laughs at the Indian people who clap when he scores a run. Honestly, if I were a mediaperson, I would have slapped Dhoni right there,” Yograj said.
“Dhoni is arrogant. The way Ravana’s proud came to an end, Dhoni will also suffer some day. He considers himself much above Ravana. I feel really ashamed when other cricketers come and tell me about Dhoni. Earlier, I used to think that people must be cribbing about Dhoni due to jealousy. But when the cricketers told me about him, I think I have never seen a terrible person like him ever in my life."