Yograj Singh Slams BCCI: Claims Selectors Ruined 7 Careers and Targeted MS Dhoni Post-2011 Triumph
Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has unleashed a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors from the early 2010s, accusing them of sabotaging the careers of several iconic players in the wake of India’s historic 2011 World Cup victory. In an explosive interview with InsideSport, Yograj didn’t hold back, alleging that the selectors unjustly marginalized as many as seven key players after India’s disastrous overseas Test tours in 2011-12, marking a dark chapter in Indian cricket.
Yograj passionately criticized the selectors for their handling of veterans like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Kaif, VVS Laxman, and Rahul Dravid. “You destroyed these boys for no reason,” he fumed, pointing out how these champions, who played pivotal roles in India’s World Cup triumph, were “pushed into the gutter” following humiliating whitewashes in England (0-4) and Australia (0-4) during the 2011-12 season. While Dravid and Laxman retired from Test cricket shortly after, the others were systematically phased out across formats, missing out on India’s plans for the 2015 World Cup.
Diving deeper into the murky waters of Indian cricket politics, Yograj revealed a stunning claim about MS Dhoni’s captaincy. According to him, after the catastrophic loss in Australia, the selection committee, including former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath, had unanimously decided to strip Dhoni of his captaincy. However, this move was allegedly thwarted by the then BCCI President N. Srinivasan, who wielded significant influence to protect Dhoni’s position. Amarnath himself, in a 2012 interview with CNN-IBN, had lamented the lack of autonomy for selectors, expressing frustration over not being allowed to make decisions in the best interest of Indian cricket.
Despite the internal chaos and mounting pressure, Dhoni held firm as Test captain until his abrupt retirement from the format in December 2014 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He continued to lead India in limited-overs cricket until January 2017, guiding the team to numerous accolades before passing the baton to Virat Kohli. Under Dhoni’s leadership, India also clinched the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, a testament to his resilience amidst off-field storms.
Reflecting on this tumultuous period, it’s evident that the early 2010s were a turning point for Indian cricket—a time of transition marred by controversy and tough calls. Yograj Singh’s revelations raise critical questions about accountability and transparency within the BCCI. Were these decisions purely performance-based, or did personal agendas and power plays dictate the fate of India’s cricketing heroes? As fans, we can only hope that lessons from this era ensure a fairer future for the game we love. What are your thoughts on this saga—did the selectors mishandle these legends, or was it a necessary reset for Indian cricket?