Ajay Maken promises Yuvraj government support - Cricket News Update
Yuvraj Singh, star of India’s 2011 World Cup victory, has been promised support in his struggle against cancer by the Indian Sports Minister, Ajay Maken.
Pune Warriors’ former captain was diagnosed with a non-malignant lung tumour last year, which later turned out to be cancerous. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Cancer Research Institute, located in Boston, USA.
"Wish Yuvraj a speedy recovery! Asking officials to find the quantum and nature of help required. Government should and will help him," Maken tweeted on Sunday.
The minister’s pledge of support is one among a tide of prayers and good wishes for the 30-year old batsman. The BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale also expressed hope that Yuvraj will recover soon, and asked the media to be considerate regarding his privacy. Former South African cricketer, Dave Callaghan, who succeeded in overcoming testicular cancer and returned to international cricket in the 1990s, advised the left-hander to remain optimistic and hopeful on a timely return.
The Indian all-rounder is currently under the supervision of the same doctor who treated Tour de France cyclist Lance Armstrong, has not featured for the Men in Blue since the home Test series against West Indies last November. His treatment is estimated to last 4 to 6 months, which means he will be unable to recover in time for the IPL, which begins in April.
However, if sources are anything to go by, his illness is not of major concern. The left-hander’s physiotherapist Dr Jatin Chaudhary, explained that since the tumor has been detected in the first stage, it is “100 per cent curable”. He further added that the player will be fit to play by May, and is already eager to get back to the field. Yuvraj’s mother, Shabnam Singh, also insisted that her son is fine, and will return to cricket in not too distant future.
Due to his star presence in India, his illness and recovery is being followed with great interest, and everyone from the government and cricket officials, to the media and ardent fans, are hopeful that Yuvraj will recover soon.
His career spans 274 ODIs, and he has an impressive 8051 runs at an average of 37.62. He was named the Player of the Tournament in the ICC World Cup 2011, during which he scored 362 runs, took 15 wickets, and won four Man-of-the-Match awards.