Yograj Singh would make Rohit Sharma run 20 kms if he become Team India’s coach

Yograj Singh made a bold statement about Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, claiming to elevate the struggling test career of the player.

Yograj Singh would make Rohit Sharma run 20 kms if he become Team India’s coach

Yograj Singh has bold plans for Rohit Sharma (via Hindustan Times)

Ex-Indian cricketer, Yograj Singh is now widely known for his controversial remarks. The former player has once again stirred the internet by stating that he could make Rohit Sharma run miles a day, should he become Team India’s coach. The 67-year-old made these statements on a podcast ‘Find a Way’, with Taurwar Kohli. 

Rohit Sharma remains under scrutiny, despite having guided the Indian team to two successive ICC trophies, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, the criticism stems from India’s struggles in red-ball cricket. The Men in Blue have suffered two back-to-back Test Series defeats. They were white-washed 3-0 by New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. 

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While India has been dominant in white-ball cricket, the team’s Test results remain under the scanner, especially with the next big challenge being a five-match Test series in England. While the England tour seems to be far away, most of the Indian players are engaged in the 2025 IPL. It therefore means that the players will get even less time to prepare for the five-match series, which begins in June.

Meanwhile, there are calls from several sides to drop veteran Indian stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Test team. Indian captain Rohit Sharma has remained at the center of criticism, owing to his dismal form in red-ball cricket. The 37-year-old scored just 122 runs combined in the New Zealand and Australia series at a low average of 11.

Sharma was even left out on the last Test against Australia, with Jasprit Bumrah being named captain instead. Rohit Sharma’s struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy as well, after he made a much-awaited return to play for Mumbai. Many lambasted him over his poor physique and fitness. Amid criticism, Sharma and Kohli have, however, found an ally in Yuvraj Singh’s father, Yograj Singh.

Yograj Singh claimed that should he be made the Indian Team head coach, he would transform the team into an unbeatable one. The 67-year-old claimed that Kohli and Sharma are only going through a temporary rough patch, while denouncing calls to drop them from the team.

If you make me the coach of the Indian team, I will transform it into a side that will be unbeatable… I will make Rohit [Sharma] run 20km. These players are diamonds. You don’t throw them out. I will be like their father.

Yograj Singh on Rohit Sharma (H/T Times of India)

Moreover, Yograj Singh also lashed out at Indian cricket selectors for denying his son, Yuvraj Singh, the opportunity to captain the national team. The retired player has remained severely critical of ex-Indian captain MS Dhoni, blaming him for ending his son’s cricketing career. 

Yograj Singh makes a bold comment on star Indian opener Abhishek Sharma’s nightlife

Abhishek Sharma has seen his stakes over the past few years, having transformed into an Indian T20I team regular. Former Indian cricketer, Yograj Singh, made striking comments regarding the 24-year-old, addressing the young player’s nightlife, while crediting his son, Yuvraj Singh, for instilling discipline.

Yograj Singh on youngster Abhishek Sharma
Yograj Singh claimed to have advised his son and former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh to keep a check on young Abhishek Sharma’s nightlife. (via NDTV Sports)

Abhishek Sharma has been mentored and trained by Yuvraj Singh, with some fans even calling him a reincarnation of the former Indian all-rounder. Yuvraj Singh’s father had advised him to help keep the hard-hitting Abhishek Sharma’s nightlife in check, a directive Yuvraj diligently followed.

Using several metaphors, Yograj Singh stated that Yuvraj Singh effectively curtailed Abhishek’s tendency to go out. He added that his son even imposed a strict control over Sharma and Shubman Gill’s actions by even keeping them at his house, ensuring that they trained properly and stayed in top form. 

When Abhishek was playing, I said if you could control his nightlife, Yuvraj [Singh] did exactly that, and did not let him go here and there… So he turned out okay. Wild horses need to be tamed by catching their hair firmly.

Yograj Singh on Abhishek Sharma (H/T NDTV Sports)

As a result of the tough training regimen, Abhishek Sharma has turned out to be a fine batting all-rounder. After a phenomenal 2024 IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sharma carried his red-hot form into international cricket. He has registered two centuries for India in 17 T20I appearances.