When India lifted the World Cup in 2011 at the Wankhede Stadium beating Sri Lanka by six wickets, it was MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh who were at the heart of the triumph.
If the skipper steered the ship from troubled waters to the promised land in the final, it was Yuvraj who led the charge with both bat and ball throughout the tournament which ensured India were in the mix to fight for the championship on April 2.
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However, both cricketers have had their differences throughout the course of their careers and now Yuvraj has admitted that the pair are 'not the best of friends' and even revealed that he "did not like" many decisions taken by Dhoni during his tenure as the captain.
What did Yuvraj Singh say about his relationship with MS Dhoni?
"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," he told in a chat on TRS Clips.
However, he insisted that their differences in opinion were never reflected their performances when the two were out with the Indian jersey.
"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 was left out of the 2019 World Cup squad allegedly because of fitness issues and it was Dhoni who informed him about the reality behind the scenes.
"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."
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How Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni co-existed in the Indian team despite the differences?
Yuvraj insisted that two cricketers need not be best of friends but should always put the interests of the collective ahead of the individual for the team to flourish.
He cited a couple of examples to substantiate that although his personal equation with Dhoni blew hot and cold, they stood for each other through thick and thin.
"Your teammates don't have to be your best friends outside the field. Everybody has a different lifestyle, skill set. Certain people hang out with certain people, you don't have to be best friends with everyone to go on the field. If you take any team, all eleven don't get along. Some do, some don't. When you are in the park, put your ego behind you and contribute on the field.
"There were times when MS was injured, I was a runner for him. I remember there was one moment when he was in 90s, I wanted to give him the strike to help him reach his 100. I remember diving for him, for his second run, as he was in 90s.
"When I was batting in a World Cup match, I was 48 against the Netherlands. There were 2 runs to get and Mahi blocked both the balls so that I get 50," he explained.
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Bitterness in the past - Yuvraj Singh talks about his current relationship with MS Dhoni
"In the World Cup final (2011), it was decided if Gauti (Gautam Gambhir) gets out, I'll go, if Virat gets out, Dhoni goes. That thing is more important than friendship. We were hardcore professionals. I wish him well, I know he wishes me well.
"He is retired, I am retired. When we meet, we meet like friends only not like 'I don't want to get to know you'. We shot an ad together too, and had fun talking about our past days," the former India batter said.
India vs South Africa: Latest CWC 2023 predictions, betting odds
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(The Sporting News)
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