Yuvraj Singh picks his calmest XI; excludes MS Dhoni in a shocking move

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Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently sparked a lively discussion among fans and media by revealing his unique ‘Calmest Playing 11.’ This selection was not a typical “All-Time XI” but a humorous and ironic response to a challenge posed during an interview on the sidelines of the Super 60 Canada 2025.

The former all-rounder chose players who are famously known for their fiery temperament and on-field aggression, directly contradicting the term ‘calmest.’ The biggest talking point from this jesting selection was the conspicuous absence of his former national captain, the renowned ‘Captain Cool,’ MS Dhoni, whose consistent composure makes him the literal epitome of calmness in cricket. Yuvraj himself clarified the surprising omission, explaining the cheeky and underlying reason for his choices.

The rationale behind Yuvraj’s bizarre team selection was purely for comedic effect, as he admitted to being instructed to pick ‘wrong answers only’ during the interview with Shefali Bagga. This explains the inclusion of cricketers who are celebrated for their fiercely competitive spirit and willingness to engage in on-field confrontations, which is the antithesis of calmness.

Naming players like Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, both of whom are known for their passionate and sometimes confrontational demeanour, immediately signaled the non-serious nature of the list, turning the concept of a ‘calmest’ team completely on its head. Other fiery personalities who made the cut included fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, S Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh, all of whom have had memorable, aggressive on-field moments throughout their careers, further emphasizing the joke.

By filling the team with these high-intensity players, Yuvraj brilliantly played into the request for a contradictory or ‘wrong’ answer, delivering a hilarious video that quickly became a hit with cricket fans online, who appreciated the former star’s sense of humour. The inclusion of himself, known for his aggressive shots and celebrations, also cemented the satirical nature of his unique playing eleven.

A post shared by Shefalii Bagga (@shefalibaggaofficial)

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The exclusion of Dhoni, arguably the calmest and most composed cricketer of his generation, was the key punchline of the whole exercise. Given the mandate to pick players who represented the opposite of calmness, Dhoni, whose nickname is ‘Captain Cool’ for his ability to maintain his composure under extreme pressure, simply did not fit the criteria of the ‘wrong answer.’

Dhoni’s famous unflappability and serene approach to the game, particularly in high-stakes run chases, would have made him the most correct and literal answer to a genuinely calm eleven, which is precisely why Yuvraj had to leave him out. By bypassing his former teammate, Yuvraj was confirming to the interviewer and the audience that his selection was a roster of the game’s most intense personalities, rather than its tranquil ones.

Other notable figures known for their controlled aggression, such as former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and the temperamental all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, also found a place in the line-up, fitting the theme of on-field aggression. Therefore, Dhoni’s omission was not a slight or a reflection of his skill, but rather an integral part of the humorous setup, proving that in a game of ‘wrong answers,’ the famously cool-headed skipper had to be the one to miss the spot.

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