Don't know what the future holds: Yuvraj

Gurgaon, April 11 (IANS) Star Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who has returned home Monday after undergoing three months of treatment in the US for a rare germ cell cancer, said Wednesday it won't be easy for him to make a quick return to the cricket field but remained hopeful about his future.

Yuvraj, who addressed the media for the first time since returning, asked his fans to be patient, like they have been for the last three months. The 30-year-old, who was was the hero of India's 2011 World Cup triumph, said it would be a great achievement for him if he makes it to the cricket field any time soon.

"I don't know what future holds. It will be a great achievement if I get back to the field. I am thankful to god that I got back my life. Everybody faces such issues. I am very happy and thankful to everyone that I am out of it," said Yuvraj, who was accompanied by his doctor Nitesh Rohatgi.

"All my fans want me to come back soon, I am sure you people will understand that my body will take time. I will have to take care of my health. I will try to return as soon as possible, in the next two months. I have been through a very tough time," he said.

Yuvraj said he has been healed but the scars are still there on his body. He also admitted that the last three months were the toughest phase of his life.

"Cancer is out of my system, but the scars are yet to be healed. A high protein diet helped. Thankful to god that I got my life back," he said.

Yuvraj, who underwent treatment in the Boston, said he drew inspiration from legendary American cyclist Lance Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer.

"Cyclist Lance Armstrong helped a lot and he was an inspiration in my fight against cancer. 5-6 years back I was reading his book and left it midway for some reason. I had to complete it this way may be. He had similar cancer but his was in the last stage and mine was detected at early stage," he said.

Yuvraj said his biggest strength was his mother Shabnam.

"Lucky the cancer got detected early. The presence of my mother gave me strength. I don't think without her I would have made this journey," said Yuvraj.

Yuvraj admitted that he was initially in a denial mode when he was detected with cancer.

"I was in a denial initially. I concealed my ill-health for a long time. I had breathing problems during World Cup. I gave myself pep talk. I battled breathing problems. I was cheerful even after cancer was detected," he said.

Yuvraj said a pep talk by batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar in London helped him a lot.

"Sachin Tendulkar always spoke positively and always inspired me. It is difficult but not impossible to overcome cancer. If I can overcome everyone can," he added.

Yuvraj also said he missed being a part of Tendulkar's 100th international century in Bangladesh.

"I wanted to be part of the team when Sachin Tendulkar scored his hundredth hundred but unfortunately I couldn't be. It was sad. I stayed away from cricket in the last three months because whenever I saw a match, I used to feel frustrated," he said.