Kolkata: Yuvraj Singh's illness appears to be more grave than disclosed. According to a source, who holds a key position in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the star all-rounder is currently undergoing "chemotherapy" in the US.

There was, however, no confirmation from the family. Father Yograj, in fact, advised that Yuvraj's illness be kept at a "low key" by the media. Basically, that it's a personal thing.

Yuvraj Singh's physio Jatin Choudhary told STAR News that Yuvraj is suffering from cancer, which has been detected in October end. He also added that it has been detected in the first stage and his chemotherapy will continue till March.

His tumour was first detected in October but it was said to non-malignant. But it has now been reportedly diagnosed as malignant.

Earlier, there were reports that he had gone to the US for surgery but on February 1 Yuvraj tweeted: "Haven't done any surgery! I don't no we're does Such news come from I'm just on medication !"

Last month he had tweeted that he was reading legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong's autobiography, who had won his battle against cancer.

"Reading lance Armstrong s book it's not about the bike ! I'm sure it will motivate me and pull me throu this time! Livestrong yuvstrong," he had tweeted.

It was on November 26 last year that Yuvraj's mother, Shabnam, announced that he had a "non-malignant tumour" in his left lung. Also, that he'd been battling it for months.

Yuvraj was expected to be fit for the T20 Internationals and the tri-series in Australia, but he made himself unavailable in the lead-up to the January 15 selection.

Word then was that Yuvraj had "overdone" things at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, where he was on a rehab regimen, obviously keen to quickly make a comeback.

With the BCCI not revealing details officially, and the family falling silent, one has been left a bit in the dark.

"Am fit physically, but not medically. Am ruled out for selection," had been Yuvraj's SMS to this newspaper last month.

That something is really amiss came through in the Sahara media release issued on Saturday morning.

Among other things, it said: "...Shri Yuvraj Singh, who is truly like one of our family members, is unfortunately passing through a bad phase health-wise, undergoing treatment for a critical illness, overseas."

Responding to Sahara's "emotional" decision to withdraw from the IPL and the Team India sponsorship, the BCCI mentioned the following: "...in the light of Yuvraj Singh's unfortunate illness."

"Critical", "unfortunate illness." It's so alarming.

Yuvraj (Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup) has, of course, been reduced to a "pawn" in Sahara's stunning move on two major fronts.

Sahara owns the Pune Warriors India, the most expensive IPL franchise, and Yuvraj was its captain last year, in its debut season.

With little going right for the Warriors, the franchise finished second-last. Leggie Rahul Sharma, though, made a huge impression and he's now wearing the India colours.

- The Telegraph

Also read: Yuvraj Singh battles non-malignant tumour | Yuvraj set to miss fifth edition of IPL
Yuvraj Singh talks to STAR News