An Open Letter to Yuvraj Singh

Dear Yuvi,

First off I would like to tell you that I am not a fanboy. I was never your fan and I don’t think I’ll ever be. Indian batsmen with a batting average below 40 do not impress me! But not being a fan does not imply that I don’t admire you or respect you. I have huge respect for your contribution to Indian cricket.

That final of the NatWest series where you and Kaif managed the impossible and gave all Dada fans a moment to cherish for the rest of their lives, that Stuart Broad over in which you ruined the Englishmen’s night in a single over and finally that amazing 2011 World Cup in which you were the silver lining for all the Indian supporters.

Thank you for these unforgettable moments that you have given to every proud Indian cricket fan out there. These memories have been etched in our minds forever. Despite all these wonderful highlights of your long career, the focus has shifted to your disastrous performance in the 2014 T20 World Cup final.

Let’s face the truth Yuvraj! We Indians are the biggest hypocrites in the world and we are just waiting to pounce on someone who fails to do his job right. The way you have been trolled, abused and criticized for that one bad performance is shameful. People have even gone to the extent of pelting stones at your residence! These are the people who don’t care when a politician dupes them for billions of rupees. These are the people who don’t care when 4-year-olds are raped and left to die time and again. But suddenly their national pride is awakened when India falls to an embarrassing defeat in cricket.

It’s not completely their fault though. That’s how we have been brought up. Stay away from the dirt that is politics and instead focus on studies and watch some cricket for entertainment if time permits. You surely aren’t the only one who has faced this kind of treatment after a defeat. In the past, Kaif had faced a similar kind of treatment when India fell prey to the mighty Aussies in the 2003 World Cup. While you aren’t the first one, I can, with full confidence on the nation’s people, most certainly assure you that you won’t be the last!

There is absolutely no need to lose heart. Everyone goes through bad patches. Heck, even the ‘God of Cricket’ had his bad moments on the pitch. You, after all are just a human. All being said it is very unfair on the part of the fans to entirely put the blame on your shoulder and bring you down in disgraceful ways.

The fact remains that the gun on this shoulder was operated by the ‘captain cool’ in a very conniving manner. Everyone knew you weren’t having the best series of your life. Your performances in the entire series were below par except for that innings against Australia. It wasn’t a very wise decision on the part of M.S. Dhoni to send you up the order at no. 4. He had a good option in the form of Suresh Raina or he had an even better option of going to bat himself and become the hero that he usually ends up being.

The fact that he faced less than 40 balls in the entire tournament is astonishing. The Indian supporters have also very conveniently ignored the fact that Sri Lanka have been so good with their death bowling and many have struggled in front of their lethal bowling attack. Though you were terrible that day, it can still be safely said that it wasn’t entirely your fault that we lost!

It must be tough going to zero from a hero. You have been in the team from the time I started watching cricket as a kid! You are one of the very few cricketers left who I can still relate to. Being the most senior player you have obviously experienced the best and worst of Indian cricket over the years. Though you were just another average middle-order batsman and a considerably good fielder, certain performances of yours were clearly more than average. You have always been a reliable figure for us Indian Cricket fans.

There are terrible people in the world that will abuse you, traumatize you and punish you harshly for slightest of your mistakes. But always remember that you have won several hearts in the past and people still love you. You made a mistake and the fans responded with an even more embarrassing mistake.

A man who has survived cancer does not need telling that he needs to be strong in these times and not let the negative energy affect him in any way! Let the past be the past and give the RCB fans such a strong season in the IPL that the disaster that was the T20 World Cup final is forever washed out of the minds of the people. We all know how strong you are and we are sure you will come back stronger like you always have.

Lots of love and respect,

Not a fan, but a staunch admirer.