Yuvraj Singh's father Yograj Singh today lamented that his son's treatment was delayed a bit and that the dashing left-hander had not taken seriously his advice to get himself checked up two years back.
"I don't want to blame anyone. But I feel that things could have been different today. If you recall, two years when Yuvi was playing in a T20 match at Mohali and played match-winning innings, in which after hitting a six he came running towards Suresh Raina and could be seen coughing badly," Yograj recalled how the early signs of his son's illness were not picked up seriously.
Doctors have also expressed hope saying Yuvraj can 'resume training in ten weeks'.
"Yuvraj has a rare type of seminoma which is completely curable," clarified oncologist Dr. Nikesh Rohatagi.
Meanwhile, struggling to hold back his tears, father Yograj, a former Test cricketer himself said he had then advised Yuvraj to get a thorough medical check up done, but he had brushed it aside saying he was not a kid and that he was alright.
"But I knew that something was wrong...six months back the doctor who saw the laboratory reports of Yuvraj had pleaded that he should be taken to the US for treatment. With folded hands, the doctor said that best treatment is available in the US...but I don't blame anyone," he said speaking at his residence here.
Yuvraj is reportedly being treated by the same doctor who treated legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer in 1996 and went on to win the Tour de France a record seven times.
'Will be back in May'
The cricketer's physiotherapist earlier said Yuvraj diagnosed in October and was being treated in Boston, but said the disease was in its early stages.
"Once he is done with chemo in March, his rehabilitation would be complete by April end and he would be perfectly fit to play in May," Jatin Choudhary said.
Yuvraj's family had said last November that the all-rounder had been battling a golf ball-sized non-malignant lung tumour which first affected him during the World Cup.
His mother said he had been 'constantly' troubled by bouts of coughing and vomiting throughout the tournament, which India won on home soil in April.
Despite this, the left-hander scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets in nine matches to earn the player of the tournament award as India took the title for the first time since 1983.