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IN BRIEF: This post is dedicated to Cricketing sensation Yuvraj Singh’s battle with Cancer, and his determination to fight back.

Twenty-Twenty World Cup 2007, six sixes in an over against England, Vice-Captain of Indian Cricket team for (ODI) 2007-2008. A young, handsome and successful cricketer who is a true charmer. A number of matches were won by him single-handedly. Yuvraj and Dhoni formed a formidable pair.

Yuvraj started his career in International cricket in 2000 and in no time became the star of Indian Cricket team, not only Cricket lovers but whole India knew him, he was never less than any film star . Yuvraj, son of Yograj Singh, former Indian bowler, had cricket in his genes whether it was World Cup or ODI he has always played with passion.

It was during the time of World Cup when he would wake up in the middle of the night and would find it difficult to breathe and used to cough immensely. After the world cup, a scan for chest cavity revealed a tumour but like any of us he could not believe it and more than that he ignored it as for him cancer meant leaving cricket, therefore, he kept playing matches, it was only in January when the further tests revealed that tumour was malignant — a germ cell cancer called a mediastinal seminoma was diagnosed, it was located in between his heart and his (left) lung and it grew about 14 centimetres like a ball over his chest which was a concern. And then came the time to face the fears and he chose to face them in 2011.

Yuvraj’s doctor planned for chemotherapy and on 26 January he went to U.S for chemotherapy, his chemotherapy started in February and ended in March. Along with this treatment he also took Ayurveda treatment and went for rehabilitation in May, the same year.

Cancer, one of the most common disease in the world right now which was once considered as a deadly disease whose name shakes the person from head to toe, but chose to battle it out.

Was he not scared? How could he fight it? Yes, of course he was scared and therefore he delayed the treatment. But, can anyone run from the truth? He faced the fears to get batter during which he realised “Cancer does not mean death. In one of his Interviews he said “Don’t be scared… Be positive… Please don’t think that your life is about to end… Take the right advice and act as soon as you can… If there’s an issue in your system, don’t ignore it… Look at me, I never thought I’d get the chance to again play for India, but I’ve beaten cancer… God has given me this opportunity and my love for cricket has brought me back. I see this alone as a huge achievement… The experience has made me stronger (in the mind)… If you’re strong, then you automatically become a positive person. Cancer doesn’t mean that you’re going to die.”

Inspirational Yuvraj

Yes, our hero was inspired by Lance Armstrong who has made many records in his career as well and was also diagnosed with the same kind of tumour in 1996. He was treated with tumour and despite that, he began his career again. Yuvraj Singh has also been treated by the same doctor. During his time in the U.S, he used to read the autobiography of Lance Armstrong for motivation and to get his treatment done perfectly.

Back to Pavilion

In April 2012, Yuvraj made his comeback with Twenty-Twenty against New Zealand in September 2012 and is still the star of India.

Lesson For Us

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”(Arnold Schwarzenegger).

It’s about how you decide to live, you have two options either accept the defeat and be upset about or stand up and keep fighting till the time you win and winning does not mean reaching the top, it means living a beautiful life in the allotted time. So it’s a choice you need to make. LIVE or LEAVE.

References

Knight , M., & Yasukawa, O. (2015). Yuvraj Singh: The World Cup hero who bounced back from cancer. Retrieved from CNN

Dutta, N. (n.d.). Yuvraj Singh’s back and how after his battle with cancer! Retrieved from DNA