Yuvraj draws inspiration from Armstrong in battling illness

Dubai: The news of India finally breaking their duck on the Australian tour with a Twenty-20 win must have been an elevating one for Yuvraj Singh — who is facing up to a much bigger battle now. The dashing left-hander, who had been battling with a tumour in the lung ever since his renaissance act in the last World Cup, is now in the US for treatment.

Singh's much-anticipated return to cricket will hence be delayed further — chances of which received a big boost after ‘Yuvi' got back to business in a warm-up game between a Yuvraj XI and Raina XI at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) grounds on January 12.

Even though he exuded confidence after the game, the national selectors did not want to "rush" him into a comeback for the One-day series in Australia while he has been also ruled out of the Asia Cup (March) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April-May.

According to reports in the Indian media, he is currently consulting oncologists in the US and there is growing speculation about the possibilities of surgery to remove the non-malignant growth which is located between the lung and the heart, though the braveheart batsman has dismissed such talk in his Twitter post.

"Haven't done any surgery. I don't know where such news comes from…I am only on medication," was his repartee.

Yuvi, who has been through enough highs and lows in his career spanning over a decade now, has sought to gain strength from Lance Armstrong, the cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France winner. In a latest post, he says: "Reading Lance Armstong's book. It's not about the bike! I am sure it will motivate me and pull me through this time. Live strong, Yuvstrong!"

The Indian Cricket Board, which has been footing the bills for his treatment, has rallied round him well — saying they are willing to bid their time for a fully fit Yuvraj Singh. Members of the Sahara Pune Warriors team, whom he captained in the IPL last season, reveal he is "much better now" when Gulf News contacted to check on his well being.

For the legion of his admirers, let's hope the wait ends soon!