From Yuvraj Singh to Michael Clarke: 5 cricketers who fought back to battle cancer

First Published Dec 25, 2020, 5:13 PM IST

Cricketers are one of the most respected athletes, owing to the fighting spirit that they possess, until the very end, to help steer their team to victory. However, their war is even severe when they battle against a life-threatening disease, like cancer, and make a comeback.

<p>As far as cricketers are concerned, they are known for never giving up and fighting spirit. Their will to fight until the very last ball, or until they have scored the winning runs, makes them one of the world's most respected athletes.</p>

As far as cricketers are concerned, they are known for never giving up and fighting spirit. Their will to fight until the very last ball, or until they have scored the winning runs, makes them one of the world's most respected athletes.

<p>However, some cricketers are also involved in serious life battle. It is even severe when it comes to their health.</p>

However, some cricketers are also involved in serious life battle. It is even severe when it comes to their health.

<p>Over the years, numerous cricketers have battled many life-threatening diseases, including cancer. However, some have fought hard and managed to make a successful comeback, as we take a look at five such cricketers.</p>

Over the years, numerous cricketers have battled many life-threatening diseases, including cancer. However, some have fought hard and managed to make a successful comeback, as we take a look at five such cricketers.

<p><strong>Michael Clarke: </strong>The former Australian skipper is one of the most successful skippers for his national side. Nonetheless, it was in 2006, when he was at the prime time of his career, he was spotted with a couple of dark patches on his face. Upon further analysis, he was diagnosed with Melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Consequently, he took a considerate amount of break from cricket, but was back with a bang, as he even led the side to the 2015 ICC World Cup win.</p>

Michael Clarke: The former Australian skipper is one of the most successful skippers for his national side. Nonetheless, it was in 2006, when he was at the prime time of his career, he was spotted with a couple of dark patches on his face. Upon further analysis, he was diagnosed with Melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Consequently, he took a considerate amount of break from cricket, but was back with a bang, as he even led the side to the 2015 ICC World Cup win.

<p><strong>Robin Jackman:</strong> The former English cricketer was also a renowned commentator. During his commentary stint, he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer, as he had to undergo the radiotherapy in the United Kingdom (UK) for seven weeks. Nonetheless, he made a successful comeback to his job in 2012.</p>

Robin Jackman: The former English cricketer was also a renowned commentator. During his commentary stint, he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer, as he had to undergo the radiotherapy in the United Kingdom (UK) for seven weeks. Nonetheless, he made a successful comeback to his job in 2012.

<p><strong>Matthew Wade: </strong>The current Australian wicketkeeper-opening batsman, too, joins the list. It was when he was just 16-year-old that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It became prominent after he was hit on his testicles while playing football for his state. He underwent treatment for two years, as he decided to pursue cricket as his full-time career and is a regular face in the Australian side, especially in Tests.</p>

Matthew Wade: The current Australian wicketkeeper-opening batsman, too, joins the list. It was when he was just 16-year-old that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It became prominent after he was hit on his testicles while playing football for his state. He underwent treatment for two years, as he decided to pursue cricket as his full-time career and is a regular face in the Australian side, especially in Tests.

<p><strong>Geoffrey Boycott: </strong>The so-called father of English cricket and now a renowned commentator, Boycott too makes the list for having been diagnosed for the same in 2002, in the neck, at the age of 62. He underwent extensive radiation therapy, as he has completely recovered from it now.</p>

Geoffrey Boycott: The so-called father of English cricket and now a renowned commentator, Boycott too makes the list for having been diagnosed for the same in 2002, in the neck, at the age of 62. He underwent extensive radiation therapy, as he has completely recovered from it now.

<p><strong>Yuvraj Singh:</strong> The swashbuckling former Indian batsman, Yuvraj Singh has had a well-decorated career. However, in 2012, after he led India to the 2011 ICC World Cup win, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had a tumour in his lungs, which was at its initial stage, as he travelled to the United States of America (USA) to undergo the chemotherapy, while it was a year later, he was back playing at international level again.</p>

Yuvraj Singh: The swashbuckling former Indian batsman, Yuvraj Singh has had a well-decorated career. However, in 2012, after he led India to the 2011 ICC World Cup win, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had a tumour in his lungs, which was at its initial stage, as he travelled to the United States of America (USA) to undergo the chemotherapy, while it was a year later, he was back playing at international level again.

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