Cancer-hit Yuvraj vows to return stronger

New Delhi, February  8, 2012 (AFP) - India's cancer-stricken World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has vowed to Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh says he is responding well to his cancer treatmentreturn "stronger than ever" to competitive cricket, saying he was responding well to treatment in the United States.

The ace all-rounder, named man of the tournament after India's World Cup win in April last year, is currently undergoing chemotherapy for a rare condition, mediastinal seminoma, a malignant tumour located between his lungs.

"I have immense faith in the doctors here and by the grace of God I shall be back to my best soon," Yuvraj said from his hospital in Boston in remarks published in the Times of India newspaper on Wednesday.

"I am on medication and doctors have time and again told me that I am responding well and that I would be back playing cricket. I am a fighter and I will return stronger than ever."

Also read: Is Yuvraj Singh's doctor a quack?

A senior Delhi-based oncologist who has been treating the 30-year-old Yuvraj, Nitesh Rohatgi also said Monday the cricketer would be able to start active training by May.

"Initially, I was angry and confused. I was even repentant and kept thinking I could have done some things in life differently," said Yuvraj, an aggressive left-handed batsman and effective spinner.

"However, I have a counsellor here who has helped me get over the initial shock of learning that I am suffering from cancer. I have come to terms with it now."

Yuvraj said he drew inspiration from American cyclist Lance Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer to win numerous Tour de France titles. "I am currently reading Lance Armstrong's book 'It's Not About The Bike'. I'm sure the book will motivate me and pull me through this difficult time," he said.

Yuvraj had a dream run in the World Cup, scoring 362 runs and grabbing 15 wickets in nine matches. He has not played competitive cricket since taking part in two of three home Tests against the West Indies in November.

Thousands of well-wishers, including team-mates, officials and politicians, sent messages of support. "It is the love of family, friends and fans that has kept me going," said Yuvraj, who has scored 8,051 runs in 274 one-dayers and 1,775 runs in 37 Tests since making his international debut in 2000.

"Till a couple of days ago, I was responding to posts and tweets on my accounts on social networking sites, but the sheer volume of comments praying for my well-being would require people to be hired to ensure everyone is responded to."

Yuvraj also appealed for an end to media speculation about his illness. "I have asked my mother and friends not to speak to the media, as things may get sensationalised," he said.

Matches

MORE TOP STORIES TODAY

Familiarity does not breed contempt for India

Familiarity does not breed contempt for India

India and Sri Lanka face-off yet again - this time for a place in the Champions Trophy final. More »

Inspired England storm into Champions Trophy final

Inspired England storm into Champions Trophy final

Champions Trophy: Hosts thrash South Africa by seven wickets at The Oval. More »

Sri Lanka are a dangerous side, says Dhoni

Sri Lanka are a dangerous side, says Dhoni

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka were a dangerous side and it was not possible to focus only on their two frontline… More »

South Africa deserve chokers tag, admits Kirsten

South Africa deserve chokers tag, admits Kirsten

South Africa's coach Gary Kirsten admitted his team deserved the tag of chokers after it crashed to a seven-wicket defeat by England in the Champions Trophy… More »

Angelo Mathews has plans for India

Angelo Mathews has plans for India

Sri Lanka and India ready themselves for semifinal. More »

India vs Sri Lanka: The road to Champions Trophy semis

How India and Sri Lanka reached the last four to set up a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final.ALSO READ: Resurgent India impress Jayawardene More »

[SPECIAL] Is history repeating itself?

[SPECIAL] Is history repeating itself?

Startling similarities connect India’s twin ODI triumphs of 1983 and 1985 with their performances in the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. More »

Tendulkar to own badminton franchise?

Tendulkar to own badminton franchise?

A prominent cricketer, said to be Sachin Tendulkar, has bought the Mumbai franchise in the million-dollar Indian Badminton League. Hyderabad-based PVP… More »

CA rejects TV influence over team pick

CA rejects TV influence over team pick

Cricket Australia has dismissed suggestions from executives at Channel Nine that the network should have a say in team selection. More »

Pakistan court orders interim board chief

Pakistan court orders interim board chief

A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the government to appoint an interim head of the cricket board, after the current chairman was suspended over a legal… More »

BCCI song remains the same on DRS

BCCI song remains the same on DRS

After much speculation, the cricket board will decide on Thursday who will represent BCCI at International Cricket Council's annual conference from June… More »

Adamant Srini wants to attend ICC meeting

Adamant Srini wants to attend ICC meeting

Most senior BCCI functionaries want Srinivasan to stay away till the outcome of the internal probe against his son-in-law, M Gurunath, over his alleged… More »

Ahmed, Sandhu in Australia A tour of Africa

Ahmed, Sandhu in Australia A tour of Africa

Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was Wednesday named on the Australia A squad for a tour of Africa beginning next month, despite also being in contention… More »

Resurgent India impress Jayawardene

Resurgent India impress Jayawardene

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene is under no illusions about the scale of the task confronting his side when they face India in a Champions Trophy semi-… More »

The secret behind Dhoni's massive sixes

The secret behind Dhoni's massive sixes

Watching MS Dhoni hit sixes is a visual delight that touches a chord at a primeval level. It's instinctive, it's visceral. More »

Lankans ready for another tough match

Lankans ready for another tough match

Sri Lanka barged into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a 20-run victory over holders Australia. More »

Whatmore eyes WC after Pak flop

Whatmore eyes WC after Pak flop

The former Australian batsman turned coach rejected the suggestion his players lacked in effort. More »

Cummins set for return to action

Cummins set for return to action

Rising Australia fast bowling hope Pat Cummins is to make an unusual return to action from injury by playing for the Northern Ireland Cricket Academy on… More »

Hughes and Wade join Aus A side

Hughes and Wade join Aus A side

Australia said on Tuesday that captain Michael Clarke will stay in London as he recovers from a back problem. More »

Don't write off Aussies, says Inverarity

Don't write off Aussies, says Inverarity

Australia's chairman of selectors has told England now is not the time to dismiss his side's chances of regaining the Ashes, despite the controversy currently… More »

I am 'happy to be alive': Harbhajan

I am 'happy to be alive': Harbhajan

Harbhajan Singh, who was amongst the many pilgrims and tourists stranded in the upper reaches of Uttarakhand due to the landslides and heavy rains, on… More »

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Swinging in the rain

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Swinging in the rain

Cardiff, June 17 -- Swing bowling is a complex science and not an absolute one. The basics are simple enough.Swing occurs due to the uneven distribution… More »

[RUN MACHINES] Mahela passes Dravid on way to 11,000th run

The Sri Lankan became the eighth man to pass 11,000 runs in one-day internationals. More »

Inverarity: Fawad Ahmed is a lovely lad

Inverarity: Fawad Ahmed is a lovely lad

LONDON, June 17, 2013 (AFP) - John Inverarity, Australia's chairman of selectors, indicated Monday that Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed could yet… More »