‘If you love the game, you still play’ – Yuvraj Singh on how Sachin Tendulkar motivated him after cancer fight

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has revealed how the legendary Sachin Tendulkar motivated him to make a comeback after cancer. The southpaw had an outstanding campaign in the 2011 World Cup, ending as the Player of the Tournament. But soon after the mega event, cancer threatened to end his career.

A germ-cell tumour was located between his two lungs when he was plying his trade in the World Cup. At a time when he was fighting for his life, Yuvraj stayed in touch with the Master Blaster. Yuvraj, who retired from the game last year, said how Sachin’s words of wisdom helped him make his return at the international level.

I was in and out of the Indian team: Yuvraj Singh

“There were a few ups and downs. I kept on speaking to Sachin, and he said, ‘Why do we play cricket? Yes, we want to play international but we play for the love of the sport. If you love the game, you want to play,” Yuvraj was quoted as saying in Sportskeeda.

“Sachin said, ‘If I was in the situation, I wouldn’t know what to do but if you love the game, you still play the game and decide when you want to retire. People should not decide that for you’,” he stated.

Yuvraj made a comeback for Team India, but said that cancer had already taken a massive toll on his body. The now 38-year-old Punjab-born all-rounder played in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups and the 2017 Champions Trophy as well.

“So, I had some good chats with him (Sachin) and played 3-4 years of domestic cricket. I was in and out of the Indian team, played the T20 World Cup. I made a few comebacks but it was time to move on because my body was not the same after cancer,” Yuvraj added.

Yuvraj’s highest ODI score of 150 came in the same year when he last played for India. He churned out the knock against England in Cuttack, setting up a 256-run stand with MS Dhoni for the fourth wicket. The tour of West Indies later that year became Yuvraj’s last in international cricket.