Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: In a surprising shift in stance, former India cricketer Yograj Singh has come out in strong support of MS Dhoni, urging the veteran to continue playing in the IPL while taking aim at those calling for his retirement.Yograj, who has been a vocal critic of Dhoni in the past, struck a markedly different tone ahead of IPL 2026. In an interview with InsideSport, he praised Dhoni’s longevity, discipline and commitment to the game, insisting that age should not be a factor in judging a player’s future.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Absolutely. I admire him. He’s still playing. He should keep on playing for another 10 years. Because he has proved his fitness. Guy’s discipline, guy’s dedication. Devoted,” Yograj said, in rare praise for the former Chennai Super Kings captain.He didn’t hold back while addressing critics either. “Who the hell are people going to tell him to retire? No,” he added, questioning the growing calls around Dhoni’s future.‘Age factor is very funny’Yograj also dismissed the debate around age, calling it misplaced in Indian cricket discourse. “When you’re performing, no one will drop you. So this age factor which you asked is very funny in this country, right?” he said.Interestingly, he even referenced modern greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while making his point. “Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli… young cricketers and they want to quit. They should indeed make the world realise that ‘you are the best’,” he remarked.From critic to admirerThe remarks mark a notable turnaround from Yograj, who had previously blamed Dhoni for the premature end of his son Yuvraj Singh’s career. This time, however, he separated personal opinions from cricketing merit.“A great player, a great captain is different from being a great man… but as far as cricket is concerned… hats off to him,” he said.At 44, Dhoni remains one of the oldest players in the IPL setup and continues to draw immense fan interest despite a dip in recent performances. While speculation over his retirement resurfaces every season, Yograj’s emphatic backing has added a fresh twist to the ongoing debate.
