Red carpet welcome for Yuvraj

DHNS & Agencies

• Dashing batsman returns after successful treatment for cancer in US

 

New Delhi, 09 April 2012: Yuvraj Singh returned home to a warm welcome here at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday. For the last three months, the star cricketer was undergoing treatment in the United States for a rare germ cell cancer.

    
His mother Shabnam was at the airport to receive him. The 30-year-old looked relaxed as he made way to his Audi SUV amidst a frenzied crowd of media and fans. “I am happy to be back. Recovering well. I will meet you at length on Wednesday,” he told reporters from the balcony of his house at Gurgaon.

 

The star of India’s World Cup victory, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer, and he later disclosed that he underwent constant bouts of coughing and fatigue during the World Cup. Shabnam said her son was fine and will be seeing his doctor after three months. “He has to rest for 10-15 days. Yuvi will meet his doctor after three months. We are grateful to his fans for their support and wishes," said Shabnam.

 

Yuvraj kept people updated about his progress through his tweets, while speaking about his struggles and taking inspiration from legendary cyclist, Lance Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer. Armstrong, too, responded wishing Yuvraj a “great” life and urging him not to “look back.”  “Hi Yuvi, I am Lance Armstrong and welcome home. Man you have got one big following, I have heard about you every hour of every day since you have been diagnosed. We are pulling for you, so glad you are healthy now. Have a great life, don’t look back, live strong buddy," the American said through a 19-second video on Twitter.

 

The cricketer, who was feeling homesick, had tweeted before boarding the flight on Sunday: “Finally the day has come! I am going home tomorrow! Can’t wait, excited to see my friends and family…see you India!! Mera bharat mahaan.”  Yuvraj’s father Yograj Singh said his son was a fighter.  “He needs to recover fully. Not many know that his condition was not good during the World Cup. Sometimes, he used to vomit blood but he was determined to lift the Cup for the country. He is a fighter and will come back to cricket strongly,” he said.

 

Welcoming Yuvraj to the country, Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag on Monday said he will personally meet his India teammate this week and inquire about his health. Yuvraj, who underwent three cycles of chemotherapy for a rare germ cell cancer between his lungs in the US, returned home to a rousing welcome from adoring fans on Monday morning. “I am very happy Yuvraj is back (from the US). We all prayed for him. In the coming 2-3 days I will go and personally meet him,” Sehwag said.

 

“He is presently under rehabilitation and I hope he will return to the field soon,” he added. Sehwag’s Daredevils teammate Kevin Pietersen praised Yuvraj for his fighting abilities and said he too will personally meet him this week. “I was lucky enough to speak to Yuvraj last night before his return from London. I plan to meet him this week,” Pietersen said.

 

“As a sportsperson our job is to accommodate and follow our fellow cricketers in their difficult times. Yuvraj is a fighter and he will fight through this period also,” the English batsman added.

 

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, who will also don the the Daredevils’ colours, also wished Yuvraj a speedy recovery. “I’m very happy that Yuvraj’s treatment has gone down well in the US. I came to know about his cancer during the CB series in Australia. Though I did not get hold of Yuvraj, I kept regular updates about him from his manager,” Jayawardene said. “I wish him all the best. Sooner than later I am hoping to play against him again.”