Former Indian batsman and a man known to deliver in crisis situations, VVS Laxman has stated that it has been an inspirational journey for Yuvraj Singh who conquered cancer and returned to the field with renewed energy and that is what has made him a role model to the others.
Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer after the 2011 World Cup but despite the life threatening disease, Yuvraj has made a comeback to the team since the disease on a number of occasions.
Though he hasn’t been able to keep his place for a long time, the southpaw has shown glimpses of his past. It must be noted here that Yuvraj played the majority of the 2011 World Cup with all the symptoms which indicated his cancer was getting worse. Despite all these, his will helped him win the Man of the Series Award.
“One of the role models is my good friend Yuvraj Singh. It (his illness) was a shock to all of us. Because, I still remember, we were in England. This was in 2011. We could not believe that Yuvraj Singh, he played the World Cup with all the symptoms and he was the Man of the Series. Then he was detected with cancer and it came as a rude shock to all of us,” Laxman said while speaking at the launch of a book on cancer survivors.
The stylish batsman Laxman said that Yuvraj had demonstrated exceptional mental toughness to overcome the disease.
“You are the most flamboyant, the heartthrob of the country and you are detected with cancer. But, he showed an example to others. That, if Yuvraj Singh, the international cricketer can fight cancer, come back and win matches for the country (others can also do it),” he said.
Short videos where messages from Yuvraj and Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala who survived cancer were shown on the occasion. Laxman also heaped praise on Vijay Anand Reddy, a famous cancer specialist who is the author of the book. ‘I am a survivor’, for his work. The book chronicles the success stories of 108 cancer survivors.
The book was released by TRS MP K Kavitha who remembered the work done by her in the health sector and promised to continue the good work. There were several cancer survivors present during the occasion who recalled many of their inspiring stories and their road to glory from the deadly disease.