By CricketCountry Staff
Yuvraj Singh recently decided to join hands with Colors to film a documentary on his fight against cancer. The aggressive southpaw was initially reluctant to air the time he spent at the hospital but the cause for the documentary made him change his mind.
Published: Sep 07, 2012, 09:52 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 07, 2012, 09:52 AM (IST)
Yuvraj Singh believed in himself always and doesn’t feel pressurised on his return to cricket © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Mumbai: Sep 07, 2012
Yuvraj Singh recently decided to join hands with a television channel to film a documentary on his fight against cancer. The aggressive southpaw was initially reluctant to air the time he spent at the hospital but the cause for the documentary made him change his mind.
“Initially, we were just filming how I felt during that phase. I believe it is a great way to spread awareness about the disease and motivate people to battle it. It’s a great thought and way of expression,” Yuvraj said.
Yuvraj Singh, who masterminded India’s World Cup triumph in 2011 and emerged as the “Player of the Tournament”, reveals that there were times during his chemotherapy he feared he wouldn’t get through the process.
“There were times when I feared that, especially when chemotherapy started affecting my body. But eventually, I was confident that I will overcome it,” Yuvraj confessed.
“I was a happy-go-lucky guy who believed in going with the flow. I was always tense about my batting, bowling and the game. However, everything changed after I was diagnosed with cancer. It was like a setback. Now, I am happy to breathe and eat normally again. The battle has made me stronger. I’m not going to stress about my performance anymore. I don’t know how I will play, but I can assure you that I will give my 100 per cent to it. “
Yuvraj credits his mother for the constant support and states his friends motivated him during his bad times.
“My mother has been a great support. She used to get food for me at the hospital. My friends didn’t pity me, they motivated me. When I was on medication though, I used to feel dejected and cry a lot.”
Yuvraj said that he had no other option but to fight the disease and that he has learnt not to take his health for granted like most of the sportspersons.
“I couldn’t come to terms with it initially. I did not accept it and still played and ran. But after the final diagnosis, I had no choice but to face it and fight back.”
“Earlier, I used to keep worrying about my performance and score card. But at the end of the day, you are neglecting your health. Sportsmen usually take their health for granted. But I don’t do that anymore. I am just happy I am living once again. It’s not easy to be in my shoes.”
When asked about he prepared himself, Yuvraj said, “I was nervous and was struggling to hit the ball, initially. It’s been three months of intense training and I’m improving. The more I play, the more I get better. “
“I used to watch my matches in the hospital and get angry. It was Anil (Kumble) who asked me to stop watching cricket and take care of my health. When I came back, I wanted to play. But I used to start panting after climbing just three steps. I am working on it. I don’t know how I will perform, but getting on the field will be a huge achievement and I can’t wait to do it,” Yuvraj was quoted as saying by Bombay Times.
Yuvraj, however, doesn’t feel any pressure on his return to cricket.
“I have always believed in myself and my performances. I have set a benchmark for myself and I have come back on the field because I want to reach those heights or may be a notch higher. If I am able to do it, I will stay and if I’m not able to do it, I will happily make way for somebody else.”
Yuvraj says his relationship with Lance Armstrong will never change, even after news of the latter involved in doping charges.
While speaking on whether Yuvraj fear about life post retirement, he concluded, “If people who are eight years older than me are still playing, why can’t I?”
