Yograj Singh

Yograj Singh was born on 25 March 1958 in the modest village of Kanech, situated near Doraha in Ludhiana District, Punjab, and he grew up immersed in the passionate cricket culture of northern India. From an early age he displayed a powerful right‑arm fast‑medium swing, which earned him a place in India’s Under‑22 side in 1977, where he famously edged out future legend Kapil Dev for selection against England. By 1979 he was representing the Board President’s XI, dismissing batting greats Javed Miandad and Wasim Raja with an impressive 3 for 29, and his rising reputation led to a full international call‑up in 1980. On 21 December 1980 he debuted in One Day Internationals against New Zealand in Brisbane, claiming 2 for 44 in just 8.4 overs, and two months later he earned his solitary Test cap at Wellington, taking the wicket of John Wright before an injury‑plagued spell curtailed his bowling aspirations. After a brief but memorable cricketing stint that ended in 1986, Yograj turned his ambition toward the film industry, leveraging his rugged personality and regional fame to act in Punjabi and Hindi movies such as Teen Thay Bhai, Singh is Bling and the critically acclaimed Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. His transition from sport to cinema was marked by a relentless work ethic, often portraying strong‑man or patriarchal roles that resonated with audiences. Beyond the screen, Yograj dabbled in politics, contesting the 2009 Haryana Legislative Assembly election on an INLD ticket, where he secured over 16,000 votes despite ultimately losing to a Congress rival. His personal life has been equally eventful: after an early marriage to Shabnam Kaur produced two sons—renowned cricketer Yuvraj Singh and Zoravar Singh—he later wed Satbir Kaur, welcoming Victor Singh and daughter Amarjot Kaur. The family faced a major health crisis when Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, a battle Yograj supported fiercely. In recent years he has not shied away from controversy, publicly criticizing former Indian captain MS Dhoni for allegedly sidelining his son and even revealing in a 2025 podcast a startling confession about a pistol‑pointed incident involving Kapil Dev. His multifaceted journey—from promising fast bowler to regional film star, political aspirant, and outspoken father—paints a portrait of a man who has continuously reinvented himself while remaining deeply rooted in his Punjabi heritage.