It was an emotional day for Yuvraj Singh and he literally had to hold back tears when the news of his selection for the World T20 Championship reached him on Friday, says a report in The Times Of India.
"It's an emotional moment for me," said the dashing batsman. "I'm feeling elated. It's always been a dream to play for India and I am grateful to the BCCI and the selectors for reposing their faith in my ability once again," said Yuvraj to TOI.
It was a battle for him and his family which they have won. "The day I was diagnosed with cancer, I told myself that I am going to make a comeback into the Indian team. It's a huge victory for me and my family, especially my mother who has been a pillar of strength. I am going to celebrate this day with my family and friends. I have also got some phone calls from my teammates. It feels really great." Yuvraj's mother Shabnam Singh was short of words. "I am ecstatic," she said before rushing to a temple.
He’s back, writes Hindustan Times, adding that the mystery surrounding Yuvraj Singh’s selection was cleared on Friday after selectors picked the cricketer for the T20 squad, eight months after he stopped playing. “The ride leading up to this moment has not been easy. The 30-year-old went from the high of propelling India to the World Cup victory in 2011 to the low of being diagnosed with cancer in February this year. Now, after a hard-fought battle with the disease, he can’t wait to get cracking. Yuvraj is part of the squad that will face New Zealand in two T20 ties at home next month before heading to Sri Lanka for the World Twenty20, starting September 18,” says the report.
“Can’t explain how I feel! Feels like I’m going to play for India for the first time,” a thrilled Yuvraj, who was declared fit by the National Cricket Academy, tweeted. “I’ve worked very hard and will go all out to prepare for the T20 World Cup!”
Doctors, too, testify he is fighting fit. “He has come out of the side-effects of chemotherapy remarkably. He can face exertion, but the exact position will be known once he is on the field,” said Dr Nitish Rohatgi, who heads the team of Indian doctors monitoring Yuvraj’s treatment.
