Tendulkar inspired me, was always in touch during treatment: Yuvraj

Gurgaon, Apr 11 (ANI): Cricketer Yuvraj Singh today said that he has developed a 'cherished friendship' with Sachin Tendulkar over the years, and added that the batting maestro was in continuous touch with him during his treatment in the United States.

Yuvraj, who returned home from the United States on Monday, said Tendulkar always inspired him during the treatment.

"I was in touch with Sachin while he was in Australia. I also wanted his 100th hundred. He has always inspired me," he said.

Yuvraj said that he wanted to a part of the Indian squad when Tendulkar got his 100th ton.

"I wanted to be part of the team when Sachin got his 200 in ODIs, got his 100th hundred but unfortunately I was not there. I was there in thoughts and congratulated him. It's a very big achievement," said Yuvraj.

"It's just amazing that he has played for so many years. I have developed a cherished friendship with him. Unfortunate that I wasn't there when he got the 100th hundred," he added.

Addressing the media for the first time ever since he was diagnosed with the disease, Yuvraj said he was delighted when Tendukar visited him in London, and added that it was a great motivation for him.

"It was great to see him in London. I didn't want this to come out but media would have known. I was delighted to see him. He has been a legend in Indian cricket, a great guy. It was great motivation for me. It was a great that he came all the way to see me," he said.

Yuvraj, who was adjudged the player of the tournament at the 2011 ICC World Cup, had gone to the United States for treatment in January this year.

He was diagnosed with a golf ball-sized non-malignant tumour. However, later in February, the doctors told him that he was suffering from 'mediastinal seminoma'.

Singh, 30, underwent three sessions of chemotherapy in Indianapolis at the I. U. Simon Cancer Centre at the Indiana University Medical Centre in the care Lawrence H Einhorn, who had in 1996 headed the treatment of cycling champion Lance Armstrong, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. (ANI)