Yograj Singh

Yograj Singh ( pronunciation ⓘ ; born 25 March 1958) is an Indian actor and former cricketer who played one Test and six One Day Internationals for India as a right-arm fast-medium bowler. His debut Test was at Wellington against New Zealand, which India lost by 62 runs. After his career was ended by injury, he entered Punjabi cinema and Hindi cinema. His son Yuvraj Singh was a member of the Indian cricket team from 2000 to 2019. Yograj hails from the village of Kanech, right next to Doraha, in Ludhiana District of Punjab.

He has worked in Bollywood movies like Teen Thay Bhai, Singh is Bling and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Singh married Shabnam Kaur, but later they got divorced. Their elder son Yuvraj Singh is a former Indian cricketer. His another son is Zoravar Singh. In 2011, His son Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer and recovered from it. Yograj's cricket training was harsh towards his son Yuvraj, during his childhood. After his divorce, his son Yuvraj decided to live with his mother. Later he married Satbir Kaur. He has one son Victor Singh and one daughter Amarjot Kaur from his second marriage.[10][11]

In 1977, Yograj Singh was chosen over Kapil Dev for India U-22 team that played against England at Nagpur.[12] In 1979, he was picked up for Board President's XI team to play against touring Pakistan cricket team at Baroda. He took 3 wickets for 29 runs, including wickets of Javed Miandad and Wasim Raja.[13]

In 1980, he was picked up for Indian cricket team touring Australia and New Zealand. On 21 December 1980, he played his first one-day international match against New Zealand cricket team at Brisbane, claiming 2/44 in 8.4 overs.[14] On 21 February 1981, he played his first Test match against New Zealand cricket team at Wellington, where he took the wicket of John Wright.[15]

In 2009 Haryana Legislative Assembly election, he contested from Panchkula constituency on Indian National Lok Dal ticket.[16][17] He received 16932 votes, which was 20.51% of the total votes polled.[18][19] But he lost to Devender Kumar Bansal of Indian National Congress by 12230 votes.[20]

Yograj Singh criticised and alleged then Indian team captain MS Dhoni for spoiling his son, Yuvraj Singh's career. According to Singh, due to Dhoni, Yuvraj was dropped from 2015 Cricket World Cup team.[21]

In 2020, Singh accused Virat Kohli for not supporting Yuvraj and 'backstabbing' him.[22]