Yuvraj Singh has moved to firmly separate his voice from a controversy that has repeatedly resurfaced around Indian cricket, issuing a public apology to MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev over remarks made by his father, Yograj Singh.
The former India all-rounder used a recent interview with Sports Tak to directly address the situation, drawing a clear distinction between his own relationships within the game and statements that have continued to generate attention over the years.
Apology marks a clear personal stance
Opening up on the issue, Yuvraj made it clear that he does not associate himself with the comments in question, while acknowledging their impact. “I do feel sad and I would like to apologise to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni for these comments,” Yuvraj Singh said in an interview with Sports Tak.
He reinforced that his own experiences with both figures stand in contrast to the narrative created externally. “They also know that those words are not mine. As cricketers, I have huge respect for them, what they have done for the country. And that’s pretty much it,” he added.
Personal impact and internal conversations
Yuvraj also highlighted how such remarks carry personal consequences, particularly given his long association with Dhoni at the international level.
“Because these things reflect on me. I have played with him. I would appreciate it if he doesn’t say these things about them. For whatever reason. I would sincerely like to apologise to both of them for those words,” he said.
He further clarified that he has addressed the matter directly within his family, underlining his disagreement with the tone and nature of those comments. “Kapil paaji, whatever is said and done, was a great player and great captain for India. I don’t know what their camaraderie was; I was not even born. I have played with MS Dhoni, and I have expressed what my relationship is with him. But whatever my dad said about them, I have told him that it’s not ok,” he added.
Context: Yograj’s remarks across timelines
The controversy stems from a series of statements made by Yograj Singh across different platforms, targeting both Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni at various points.
“When Kapil Dev became captain of North Zone and India, he dropped me for no reason,” Yograj Singh said on the podcast “Unfiltered by Samdish” (January 2025), referencing grievances from his playing career.
His criticism of Dhoni has also been direct in the past. “I won’t forgive MS Dhoni. He should look at his face in the mirror. He is a very big cricketer, but what he has done against my son, everything is coming out now; it can never be forgiven in life,” Yograj Singh said while talking to the Zee Switch YouTube channel (September 2024).
More recently, however, his tone appeared to soften. “I admire him. MS Dhoni should play for another 10 years. Because he has proved his fitness. The guy has discipline, the guy has dedication. I still see his forearms– amazing. The way he is playing, why not?” he said in an interaction with InsideSport (March 2026).
Relationship evolving beyond cricket
Amid the public dimension of the issue, Yuvraj pointed to a shift in his personal relationship with his father, suggesting a more balanced dynamic away from cricketing hierarchies.
“We now try to interact more as father and son, rather than the earlier dynamic of coach and ward. It’s an interesting phase in my life,” he said.
That evolution has allowed for open dialogue, even when perspectives differ. “We discuss a lot about past and present cricketers and often argue — but it’s all in good humour,” he added.
Kapil Dev’s restrained response
Kapil Dev, who has been referenced in Yograj’s remarks, has largely chosen not to engage with the situation publicly.
“Kon? Kiski baat kar rahe ho? (Who? Whom are you talking about?)” Kapil Dev said while speaking to reporters (January 2025), dismissing the controversy with brevity.
Drawing a line under the narrative
By addressing the issue directly, Yuvraj has attempted to reset the narrative around his own position, making it clear that his respect for both Dhoni and Kapil remains unchanged.
The intervention not only distances him from past remarks but also signals a broader intent to move beyond a long-running off-field storyline that has periodically overshadowed his cricketing legacy.
