The Test of My Life_ from cricket to cancer and back

So did Anil bhai, who spent a day with me. It made me feel very special.

My companions in this battle—Nishant Arora (left) and Sandeep Sharma. I was in the best hands. Dr Lawrence Einhorn, my oncologist, who has

revolutionized the treatment for germ-cell tumour and saved many lives. His mere presence reassured me that I would recover and get back on my feet. My smiling Buddha, Dr Nitesh Rohatgi. He showed me the way and stayed there all through to guide me. The doctor with a heart of gold. Paroon ‘Actually’ Chadha—my Bakra who did all he could to make my battle a little easier in a foreign land.

My nurse Jackie Brames. She promised she would always meet me with a smile. It’s the small things in life that are beautiful. Basil’s dosas always made me smile.

Signing autographs after a very long time. With a group of Indian students and NRIs in Indianapolis. There were only a few days when I could smile—then I didn’t shy away from smiling.

When I was crying I hated being photographed. The gang. From the left: Kumar Anne, Mom, me, Rajeev Bakshi, Nishant, Dr Nitesh, and the man who is not in the picture because he was taking it—Sandeep Sharma.

I don’t think there is any gurudwara or temple Mom has not visited to pray for my recovery. Here she is at the Indianapolis gurudwara. Lung-capacity test. The results altered my chemo cycles.

Preparing for that one last cycle of chemo. These six days in the hospital were the toughest days of my life. At last it’s over. Back in the hospital to say goodbye and take permission to fly home. I waited for this day for months that were monitored minute by minute.

My first time in a big gathering of people after the chemo. I watched the NBA match between Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers. I went to watch the game for LeBron James. Happy to see Zora and I am sure he is equally delighted to see his brother.

Working out with Ishant Sharma. My long stint at the NCA started with baby steps. Small gestures made me work harder. My first coffee at the KSCA club was full of surprise and love. Proud recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2012—a special honour.

Proudly realizing my father Yograj Singh’s dreams, with some still to be achieved. We are more like friends than father and son.

My spiritual healers. Taking the blessings of Sant Baba Ajit Singhji Hansaliwale with Mom. With Sant Baba Ram Singhji Dupheda Sahibwale. Posing with my new team at the YOUWECAN lunch for cancer survivors in Delhi

on World Cancer Day, 4th of February, 2013.