As Yuvraj Singh was leaving an indelible mark on India’s triumphant World Cup campaign in April with his all-round skills, the player was unaware of a major health scare that was about to rattle him to the core.
The flamboyant left-hander opted out of the upcoming one-day series against the West Indies after he was diagnosed with a tumour in his left lung.
“During the World Cup, Yuvraj found himself constantly troubled by bouts of coughing and vomiting. Reports and scans showed that he was dealing with something really serious. A golf-ball sized lump was found in his left lung and doctors advised us to go for more scans,” his mother Shabnam Singh said.
The good news is that it is a non-malignant tumour (non-cancerous) and the player, following extensive treatment, is on the road to full recovery.
Yuvraj had asked the selectors not to consider him for the ODI series until he was fully fit.
“Initial reports suggested that Yuvraj had, what in medical terms is called an abnormal tumour, over his left lung. The danger was that it could have become malignant,” Shabnam said.
After pulling out of the Caribbean tour in May-July, medication and therapy helped Yuvraj recover ahead of the England tour, only for a broken finger to restrict his participation there to a single Test.
Back home, tests indicated the tumour can be treated through medication and therapy.
“He is now in a much better state and on his way to a full recovery,” Shabnam said. “He doesn't want to rush things. He wants to be 100% fit before resuming his cricket for India and has started working hard on both his fitness and his cricket.”
{{/usCountry}}“He is now in a much better state and on his way to a full recovery,” Shabnam said. “He doesn't want to rush things. He wants to be 100% fit before resuming his cricket for India and has started working hard on both his fitness and his cricket.”
{{/usCountry}}Yuvraj is now planning a comeback in the one-day tri-series in Australia starting February 5.