5 cricketers who made successful comebacks after battling cancer

1) Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh staged a remarkable comeback to the Indian team, mere months after undergoing chemotherapy treatment

In 2011, Yuvraj Singh often ran out of breath, threw up and spent sleepless nights. Then, he won the World Cup for India. With 362 runs, 15 wickets and the Player of the Tournament award, life couldn’t have been any better on the cricket pitch. However, far from the public glare, Yuvraj suffered and battled an unknown illness.

Months after the World Cup euphoria, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and taken to Boston for chemotherapy. Yuvraj Singh fought – and won. After over 10 weeks of treatment, the southpaw won his personal battle, defeating the dreaded disease and making a full recovery. The whole ordeal left him a changed man.

"When I got cancer, I asked god why me. But then, when I got Man of the Tournament prize, I didn't say why me. So these things are part of life and you have to take them in your stride."

A month later, he smashed his way to 208 off 241 balls in a Duleep Trophy match, showing glimpses of the vintage Yuvraj Singh. Later that year, he was back again in India colours in a T20 against New Zealand in Chennai. It was pointless on the night that India lost by a run, for an even bigger battle had been won.