3.29 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

India's Yuvraj recovering from lung tumour

Yuvraj Singh celebrates India's victory against Sri Lanka in the World Cup final in Mumbai in April. (FILE)

Published
By Agencies

Cricket star Yuvraj Singh has been battling a golf-ball sized non-malignant lung tumour which first affected him during India's triumphant World Cup campaign, his family revealed on Sunday.

Yuvraj, 29, who was declared the man of the tournament after the World Cup win at home in April, had opted out of the upcoming one-day series against the West Indies for health reasons.

"During the World Cup, Yuvraj found himself constantly troubled by bouts of coughing and vomiting," his mother Shabnam Singh said in a statement.

She said Yuvraj initially ignored the problem, assuming it was due to stress and did not want anything to distract him.

"When the problem persisted after the World Cup, we decided to seek medical advice... scans then showed us that Yuvraj was dealing with something really serious. A golf-ball size lump (was) found over his left lung," she said.

"Further reports have indicated that the tumour is non-malignant and non-threatening and can be treated through proper medication and therapy... Yuvraj is now in a much better state and on his way to a full recovery."

The aggressive left-hand batsman and spin bowler had gone through "a very hard time" but was now focused on returning to the field, Shabnam added.

Yuvraj wrote on his Twitter page that he was "overwhelmed" by the support he had received. "I am absolutely fine, just need to get match fitness and training. Will be back soon," he said.

Yuvraj, who played in two of three Test matches against the West Indies this month in Delhi and Kolkata, was not picked for next month's Test series in Australia.

He hopes to be back in action for the subsequent one-day tri-series Down Under, also featuring Sri Lanka, which begins on February 5.

Yuvraj, who made his international debut in 2000, has played 37 Tests, 274 one-day internationals and 23 Twenty20 matches for India.

He was part of India's champion team at the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, where he smashed England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six sixes in one over.

The explosive hitter has been the lynchpin of India's middle-order in limited-overs cricket, although he has not met with the same success at the Test match level.

During the World Cup campaign this year, Yuvraj scored 362 runs and grabbed 15 wickets in nine matches to carry off the man of the tournament award.

At the Test level, Yuvraj has scored 1,775 runs at an average of 34.80 with three centuries and 10 fifties.

"The last few months have been extremely tough for my son, Yuvraj," stated Shabnam. "After the highs of the World Cup, Yuvraj has found himself dealing with the toughest time of his life in these last six-seven months."

Yuvraj did not want to rush his return to the side and that was why he had informed the Indian board, BCCI, about his unavailability for the West Indies series.

"This period of illness, tests and treatment was physically and emotionally a very hard time for Yuvraj and all of us. Now his entire focus is to re-gain full fitness. He is already preparing himself to play the one-day series in Australia," she stated.

"He knows the importance of being fully fit when he returns to the field and that is why he has sought some more time from the BCCI and asked not to be considered for selection in the one-dayers versus the West Indies. He doesn't want to rush things, he wants to be hundred percent fit before resuming his cricket for India and has started working hard on both his fitness and his cricket."

Shabnam also acknowledged the support of the cricket board and Yuvraj's team-mates in this time of crisis.

"All through this period the BCCI has given their full support and guidance. BCCI president Mr N Srinivasan offered Yuvraj all the support and help we needed. I want to express Yuvraj's and the family's gratitude for their understanding and help in this matter," she said.

"Yuvraj is also very touched by the love and encouragement he has received from his team-mates, who also knew about his problem and were very caring.

"Everyone who knows Yuvraj knows that he is a fighter and has been very strong and a pillar for the family through this trying period. We are sure that very soon he will be back on the cricket field in India colours."