Few Indian sportspersons have thrilled the nation the way Yuvraj Singh has. With over 550 international appearances and more than 12,000 international runs, the left-hander was synonymous with courage under pressure and flair in decisive moments, across a two-decade-long international career.
From the unforgettable six sixes in an over during the 2007 World T20 to his all-round brilliance in India’s 2011 ICC World Cup victory, Yuvraj stood tall when it mattered most. Named Man of the Series in the 2011 World Cup, he was at the peak of his powers, being celebrated, indispensable, and admired worldwide. Yet, even as the country cheered, Yuvraj was fighting a far more personal battle. That battle defined his purpose.
Yuvraj Singh
The battle the world didn’t see
During the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj played through pain and exhaustion few knew the extent of. Soon after the tournament, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his lungs. The game that had shaped his identity was suddenly replaced by hospital rooms, chemotherapy sessions, and a fight for survival.
For someone whose life revolved around the cricket field, the diagnosis was devastating. But quitting was never an option. A fighter by instinct, Yuvraj’s singular goal was recovery, and return. After successful treatment, he did what few thought possible. He made a comeback to international cricket, once again wearing the Indian jersey with pride.
But cancer had changed him. It had given him perspective and a responsibility he could no longer ignore.
Turning pain into purpose
It was during his own battle with cancer that Yuvraj realised how deeply unequal access to treatment in India remains. Fear, stigma, late detection, and prohibitive costs push thousands of families into despair every year.
In 2012, he founded the YouWeCan Foundation, a non-profit organisation registered under the Bombay Trust Act of 1950, to address exactly that. The foundation’s mission is to empower people to fight cancer through awareness, early detection, patient support, and survivor empowerment. For Yuvraj, philanthropy is not a side project but central to his life today.
“Engaging in charity gives a sense of direction to my life. There’s also peace of mind,” he has said. “I get both by devoting time to YouWeCaN.”
Yuvraj Singh during YouWeCan Foundation’s work
Learning, listening, and giving back
Reflecting on the journey of YouWeCan, Yuvraj has described it as transformative, not just for beneficiaries, but for himself. “I’ve personally learnt a lot,” he said of the foundation’s journey and his efforts of trying to find ways and means to help raise funds for YouWeCan. Through his work, Yuvraj has come face-to-face with harsh realities that often remain invisible.
From funding treatment and encouraging early diagnosis to empowering survivors to reclaim their lives, the foundation operates at the intersection of compassion and action.
A legacy beyond cricket
Post-retirement, Yuvraj Singh has consciously redirected his energy. The applause of packed stadiums has been replaced by quieter victories, helping people afford treatment, encouraging early screening, or simply offering hope where despair once lived.
While his cricketing records remain etched in history, Yuvraj’s most enduring legacy may well lie beyond boundaries and scorecards. In turning his personal struggle into a mission, he has shown that true greatness isn’t just about winning trophies but about lifting others when life tests them the hardest.