NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has spoken openly about the reasons that led to his retirement from cricket in June 2019. Yuvraj stepped away from international cricket and the Indian Premier League after being left out of India’s squad for the ODI World Cup that year. The decision marked the end of a long and emotional journey in the sport he had played since childhood.

Yuvraj, now 44, said he no longer felt happy playing the game. He explained that the lack of respect and support around him played a major role in his decision.“I was not enjoying my game. I had a feeling that why am I playing cricket when I’m not enjoying it? I was not feeling supported. I was not feeling respected. And I felt, why do I need to do this when I don’t have this? Why am I lingering on to something that I’m not enjoying? Why do I need to play? To prove what? I can’t do more than this, mentally or physically, and it was hurting me. And the day I stopped, I was myself again,” Yuvraj shared during a recent podcast with former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.Yuvraj also looked back at an earlier phase of his life when doubts were raised about his talent.“Now, when I look back at it, I just think he didn’t have the time to have a proper look at me. He was just like being nice to my dad. Then obviously, he was playing for India at that time, so he probably would have said that. I was 13-14 at that time, just figuring out a sport. I don’t take it personally, but my father took it personally,” he said.