30 October,2026 03:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Oshin Fernandes
Yuvraj Singh. Photo via Instagram
From hitting six sixes in an over to battling a life-threatening illness at the peak of his career and returning to win games for India, former cricketer Yuvraj Singh's journey has stood the test of time. In an exclusive interaction with mid-day the sports legend opens up about his personal approach to health, the joyful chaos of fatherhood, and his evolving journey beyond the cricket field. He also shares a key update on his highly anticipated biopic.
Reflecting on his battle with cancer, Yuvraj addresses the deep-seated stigma surrounding the illness. "I've been someone whose health fluctuated in the early days of my career. For me, health is wealth. A lot of people are scared of the disease, and even more so of talking about it. There was a time when I didn't want to either, because I knew if I did, maybe my cricket would end. People would think, 'This guy has cancer; he can't play cricket.' I believe my journey has inspired many people to overcome adversity. It's important to share your experiences with others, and you need friends and family to talk about what you're going through, because mental health is a very important aspect of our lives," says Yuvraj, cofounder of Protocol32, a daily health drink, as it launched in India.
As a father of two, keeping up with young kids demands a whole different level of stamina. When asked what the source of his energy is while balancing sports and parenthood, Yuvraj shares, "You see your kids, and the energy just comes out of your body! When you get up in the morning, you're naturally a bit slow and taking your time. But the moment I hear my kids talking outside my door in the living room, it's just pure instinct to jump up and hug them. They come bouncing at you, and it's probably the best feeling in the world. Nothing can match that."
Yuvraj is moving beyond the field, and so are his contemporaries. But mainly steering in the direction of entertaining fans. The King of Sixes intends to do more than just that. He says, "I believe in making human life better, giving opportunities to society, and doing something that is going to benefit a lot of people in terms of health. It's always good to have fun on the big screen. I know Veeru (Virender Sehwag) is hosting. Everybody is doing their own thing. You have to be excited and motivated to work, and I'm the same."
In 2024, Yuvraj announced his biopic backed by Bhushan Kumar along with Ravi Bhagchandka, best known for Sachin: A Billion Dreams. Sharing an update on its status, he says, "It's been 6 months of writing now, and hopefully in 9-12 months the script is going to be ready. If my team does their job on time, we should start shooting next year."
