Arun Lal On the Road to Recovery After Battle With Jaw Cancer
Arun Lal, former India opener turned cricket commentator, is on the path to recovery after undergoing surgery to treat jaw cancer.
Highlights
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Arun Lal is a former India opener who currently works as a commentator.
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Arun Lal was diagnosed with jaw cancer in January 2016.
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Arun Lal played 16 Tests and 13 ODIs for India.
© AFP
Arun Lal, former India opener who works as a cricket commentator currently, had been missing from Indian television for some time. The reason being was his silent battle with jaw cancer, which was detected in January 2016.
The 60-year-old Lal underwent a 14-hour surgery in a Kolkata hospital on Saturday, which included replacement of the jaw.
Speaking to The Hindu, Lal said, "It's a rare and dangerous cancer. The symptoms were detected in time before I went through a rigorous treatment process. Thank God, I have been able to hold my place. It is like a new life. It was tough but I am indebted to the fantastic job by the doctors."
Lal is not the only Indian who has won the battle against cancer. Yuvraj Singh, India's greatest match-winner, was diagnosed with cancer after India's successful World Cup triumph in 2011.
After he successfully completed his treatment, Yuvraj had said, "When I got cancer, I asked god why me. But then, when I got Man of the Tournament prize, I didn't say why me. So these things are part of life and you have to take them in your stride."
Lal played 16 Tests and 13 ODIs from the period of 1982 till 1989. He made his debut against Sri Lanka in Chennai where he scored 63. However, his best achievement was against Pakistan in Kolkata in 1987, a Test in which Sunil Gavaskar refused to play and he responded with 52 and 70 as the match ended in a draw.
He was a prolific run-getter in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 6763 runs at an average of over 53, putting him fifth in the all-time aggregate list.