I can't wait to step on the field: Yuvraj Singh

Mumbai - India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who has recovered from cancer, says he can’t wait to step on the field for the two Twenty20s against New Zealand slated for September 8 and 11.

Yuvraj will be making his comeback to international cricket with the two Twenty20s after surviving cancer. The matches will also help him to test his fitness ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka from September 18.

“I have been preparing for last couple of months in the National academy and have played a couple of matches along with team in the last four days and I can’t wait to step on the field because that is something which is going to be a huge day for me,” Yuvraj told IANS here Wednesday.

“I have trained really hard it was not easy on my body after cancer and as I said I just can’t wait,” he said.

Yuvraj stepping on the field in the first Twenty20 against the Black Caps will be a momentous occasion in his life.

“It’s going to be a huge moment in my life. I can’t wait for Sept 8 anymore. Every day I put a status 8 days, 7 days, I can’t wait for the excitement, I can’t wait to hold my bat, stand anywhere on the field that is one environment that I am used to that is what I was doing for 15 to 17 years and when that was taken away from me it was a shock. How many hours how many minutes I just can’t wait honestly,” he said.

Yuvraj Singh, who was battling with cancer, finally came out of it and now is all set to spread the awareness of early detection through a show titled ‘Zindagi Abhi Baki Hai’.

Going down the memory lane Yuvraj recalled the days when he was battling rare germ cell cancer. Yuvraj, who was the hero of India’s 2011 World Cup win, said when he was diagnosed with cancer the only thought in his mind was that of “saving his life”.

“Before cancer life was happy go lucky and the only tension was about my future, career, to win matches. But when I was diagnosed with cancer I only used to think about saving my life. When I came back home saving my life I was thankful to god for giving my life back,” Yuvraj told reporters.

Yuvraj underwent treatment in US and returned home in April. The southpaw has been selected in the India squad for the Twenty20 World Cup and will also be seen in action in the two Twenty20s against New Zealand this month.

Yuvraj said during his fight he used to have negative thoughts in his mind.

“Yes there were times when I used to have some negative thoughts. I used to think chemotherapy has spoiled my body, I thought drugs make me worse but it was good for me. All I used to think was I will go back and play for India one day,” he said.

“It was difficult I was not sure whether I will survive but I was positive that I will come out of it. One day my doctor said I have seen all your tests you are doing really well you have shown lot of courage when you will walk out of this hospital you will be a man who never had cancer. It was very motivating and inspiring to me what doctors told me so that made me more positive,” he added.

During his battle with cancer he was inspired by cycling legend Lance Armstrong, also a cancer survivor, and says he is the true hero.

“Lance Armstrong will always be a hero he is somebody who has battled cancer and comeback these kinds of things motivated. He is a real life hero. My course system was strong for me to comeback. There were very few people around me but people who really mattered,” the 30 year old said.