Mumbai, Apr 11: 2011 ICC ODI World Cup Player of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh, had his first interaction with the media today after returning to India following treatment in the USA for a rare germ-cell cancer called mediastinal seminoma.

Yuvraj, who was speaking at his academy, the Yuvraj Singh Centre of Excellence, situated outside Delhi, told the media that, “Cancer has taught me many things. Cancer may be the best thing to have happened to me and maybe I will realise this in the future. There were more bad days than good. I haven't played cricket for one year, and it has been the toughest battle of my life.”

Speaking on his return to the game, Yuvraj wasn’t very sure of when exactly he would be able to do so. “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,” the 30-year-old said.

“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,” Yuvraj added.

The Indian cricketer admitted to his mother, Shabnam, being his biggest source of strength in this hour of crisis. “My biggest support, my mother, was there [with me]. I don't think without her I would have made this journey.”

Yuvraj, who was accompanied in the hour-long media interaction by his doctor Nitesh Rohatgi, also pointed to being inspired by seven-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, in his battle against cancer.

“[Cycling legend] Lance Armstrong was very inspiring. Five-six 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 [a] similar cancer, but his was in the last stage and mine was detected at [an] early stage. I can't compare much [between him and me]. To me, Lance is a real life hero; he is a great sportsman but his achievements in life are much greater.”

Yuvraj said seeing Sachin Tendulkar in London brought him a lot of joy. He went on to say that he missed being a part of Tendulkar's 100th international century in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh.

“I wanted to be part of the team when Sachin Tendulkar scored his hundredth hundred but unfortunately I couldn't be. It's a very big achievement. It's just amazing that he has played for so many years,” he said.