One of India’s greatest match-winners, Yuvraj Singh, has opened up on his battle with cancer, revealing he was once told he had only “three to six months to live” before undergoing treatment and scripting one of cricket’s most inspiring comebacks.

The former India all-rounder, who played a pivotal role in the country’s triumphs at the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, said his diagnosis came at the peak of his career.

Yuvraj Singh reveals shocking diagnosis during peak career

Speaking during an interaction with Michael Vaughan, Yuvraj recalled how doctors warned him about the severity of his condition.

“It was hard to accept. At the peak of your career, you're on top of a mountain, and then you fall into a ditch. I was in Delhi. We were going on tour to the West Indies and England. Ganguly had retired, and my Test spot had just opened. I was waiting seven years for that spot. I said, 'I don't care if I die, I need that spot.' But I got sicker and sicker,” he said, describing the emotional toll of the diagnosis.

The cricketer revealed that doctors discovered a tumour between his heart and lung, forcing him to make a life-altering decision between continuing cricket and undergoing urgent treatment.

“The tumour is sitting between your heart and lung. Either you go and play cricket, or you might have a heart attack. You've got three to six months left to live if you don't do chemotherapy.' That's when I realised I needed to think,” he said.

Battle with cancer after 2011 World Cup heroics

Yuvraj was already battling illness during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, where he delivered match-winning performances and earned the Player of the Series award—cementing his legacy in Indian cricket history.

However, his health deteriorated significantly after the tournament, forcing him to step away from the game and prioritise treatment.

Treatment in the US and mental struggle

The former all-rounder travelled to the United States for treatment under renowned oncologist Dr Lawrence Einhorn, known for treating cancer survivors like cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Yuvraj admitted that the mental challenge of facing the possibility of never playing cricket again was even tougher than the physical battle.

“I went to the US to see Dr Einhorn, who treated Lance Armstrong. It took a whole year to come to terms with the fact that I might never play again. Mentally, it was harder. I needed something to motivate myself. If I don't play cricket, who am I? I'm no one. That's what I believed,” he said, highlighting the identity crisis he faced during his cancer treatment journey.

Support from cricket legends Sachin, Kumble

During his recovery, Yuvraj received support from senior cricketers, including Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar, who visited him and encouraged him to focus on his health.

Kumble even advised him to stop watching cricket videos and concentrate on recovery, while Tendulkar’s visit boosted his morale during a difficult phase.

Remarkable comeback to Team India

Defying the odds, Yuvraj made a comeback to the Indian team within months of completing treatment, returning to international cricket for the T20 World Cup.

Though not at his peak, he still delivered impactful performances, including a Player of the Match award, before undergoing further fitness training in France alongside Zaheer Khan.