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Shortly after the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yuvraj Singh was diagnosed with a rare type of lung cancer for which he underwent chemotherapy in USA.
Yuvraj Singh (left) and Virat Kohli. (AFP Photo)
Yuvraj Singh is most remembered for his heroic performances on the 2011 ODI World Cup that saw India grow to be the champions for the second time of their cricket history. The allrounder starred with the bat and the ball because the hosts lifted the trophy on the Wankhede Stadium. For his contribution, he deservedly won player-of-the-tournament award.
Nonetheless, unknown to Yuvraj and his India teammate, he was battling a rare type of cancer that saw him being troubled by regular coughing and vomiting. The symptoms began appearing two months before the tournament, but he ignored the issue given the world cup was nearing.
Along with his health continuing to deteriorate in the course of the world cup, Yuvraj went for further checkups during which it was revealed that he has a lung cancer for which he subsequently underwent chemotherapy within the USA.
On Tuesday, Yuvraj hosted a gala dinner for his charity YouWeCan in London for which the complete Indian Test cricket team, currently in England for a five-match Test series, was invited. Among the many attendees was Virat Kohli, a former teammate of Yuvraj, and he recalled the contribution of the legendary allrounder in his growth as a player.
“We (Yuvraj and I) shared a excellent bond each on and off the sphere,” Kohli said. “I met him for the primary time during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. Once I began playing for India, him, bhajju pa (Harbhajan Singh) and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings. Really helped me grow as a player, made me comfortable within the dressing room. Lot of fun times off the sphere and made me aware of the approach to life of attending to the highest. These are the bonds I might cherish for the remaining of my life.”
Kohli, who was a part of India’s 2011 world cup winning squad, recalled the moment when the teammates were made aware of Yuvraj’s diagnosis.
“Watching him (Yuvraj) within the World Cup was very special and what we got to know after that was a shock. Being so near him… we had no idea. Then his battle with cancer and again the champion that he’s… coming on top and making a comeback to the team once I was leading the team,” Kohli said.
Kohli recalled the Cuttack ODI between India and England in 2017 when Yuvraj turned the clock back with a masterful 150 of 127 and alongside MS Dhoni (134 off 122) stitched a big 256-run partnership for the fourth wicket to assist his team get better from 25/3 to post 381/6.
“I clearly remember we played a game against England in Cuttack. There was a 2017 series we played at home and top order got out early and Yuvi pa got 150 I believe and MS scored 110 (134) or something. I still remember telling KL or someone that that is like childhood days watching on big television… I even have a number of love and respect for him. It’s a pleasure being here and I won’t do it for every other person but him,” Kohli said.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and the whole lot that’s cricket from everywhere in the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and the whole lot that’s cricket from everywhere in the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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