Yuvraj Singh

Calcutta: Eighteen months after Yuvraj Singh came out of cancer, finishing his chemotherapy cycles in Indianapolis, former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammed has started his cycle, in London.

Hanif is 47 years Yuvraj’s senior, but they do have something in common, besides being Internationals in cricket.

On Saturday, Hanif, now 78, saluted Yuvraj’s fighting spirit in a one-on-one with The Telegraph from his daughter Seema’s residence (Wembley).

Excerpts...

“Five years ago, before the Asia Cup, I received a call from Sunil Gavaskar, saying that Castrol wanted to honour me during the first Asian Cricket Awards night, in Karachi...

“After being presented the award, I was asked to name the cricketers from the subcontinent whom I admired...

“Yuvraj was sitting in front of me and I began my short speech by saying that something about him reminded me about (Sir) Garfield Sobers...

“I thoroughly enjoy the way Yuvraj bats and still remember the six sixes he hit off Stuart Broad in the inaugural World T20... Sobers had done exactly the same, at the expense of Malcolm Nash, almost 40 years earlier, in the County Championship...

“A sportsman’s approach towards the game says much about his character... Yuvraj certainly fights till the last ball and makes a difference...

“For me, Yuvraj is a true fighter not only for his deeds on the field, but the way he has fought cancer...

“Normally, people diagnosed with cancer break down because of the treatment process and the additional physical and emotional stress...

“Right now, I’m experiencing just that, so I know how it feels and how tough it can get...

“God has been kind to Yuvraj... I’m aware that he’s currently out of favour, but it’s not beyond him to make another comeback...

“Every cricketer goes through a lean period... That ‘down’ goes with the territory... The impression I’ve got is that Yuvraj hasn’t lost his hunger. Rather, he may be more hungry...

“I believe that Yuvraj will soon be back in the India colours... He’s one of your two best all-rounders in ODIs and T20s, the other being the exciting Ravindra Jadeja...

“Please convey my best wishes to Yuvraj.”

Hanif underwent cancer-related surgery, in London itself, on July 9. While the doctors (Robert Hutchins, Justin Stebbing) are confident that he’s cured of cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy has nevertheless started.

It’s aimed at “eliminating the probability of recurrence.”

The first of six cycles of chemotherapy gets over on Monday. If Hanif takes it well, then he could leave for Karachi later in the week.

Younger son Shahzeb, who is based in London, is expected to accompany him on the flight back home.

To talk of Yuvraj... In an exclusive chat with this Reporter before his post-cancer comeback, a year ago, he’d conveyed a message: “Don’t be scared... Be positive...

“Please don’t think that your life is about to end... Look at me, I never thought I’d get the chance to again play for India, but I’ve beaten cancer.”

Now, of course, Yuvraj is fighting a very different battle — where it’s not only about him.

Yuvraj’s last appearance for India, in any format, was in the January 27 ODI against England in pretty Dharamsala.

Eight months on, he’s determined to make as quick a return as possible and recently trained for six weeks in France to increase his fitness level.

Yuvraj, incidentally, had been the vice-captain in the 2008 Asia Cup. Plenty has changed since.