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'Young generation prefers IPL to Ranji'

India's World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, who is recovering after being treated for a non-malignant tumour in his lungs, says he is fine now and looking forward to board the flight to Australia for the ODI series that follows the Tests. 

Speaking to CNN-IBN, the dashing all-rounder, who turned 30 last month, said he trained for three weeks at the MCA and is "targeting to be fit" for the upcoming ODI series that also involves Australia and Sri Lanka. 

Excerpts from the interview: 

'When my body is strong, good cricket will come automatically' 

 "Whenever my body is strong, I'm feeling mentally good, then good cricket will come automatically. It just takes couple of days to get into the group. It was important for me to be healthy and breathe normally.

"Then all the cricketing skills are going to come normally by the time we play the first T20 game. We have got two T20 matches and then you play the ODI. So I would have enough ball-hitting practice before you get to play the first ODI."

'I was really struggling to breathe'

"When the World Cup camp started I had the issues of the breathlessness. My physio suggested that it might be flu, so I carried on with that. During the IPL things went bad and I was really struggling to breathe. Then, after the tests, the news came out that it was a tumor. It was quite shattering.

"I was thinking whether I would be able to play again or not. But it was stupid to think whether I'm going to live or not. It was devastating for the family, especially for mother. She has gone through a tough time with me. During the World cup I had six-seven injuries and then this happened. It was tough to get out of it."

"Every time you run after performance and runs, or something not in your grasp, in a way, you neglect your health. Now I've realised that in life two important things are health and happiness. If you don't have health and happiness you don't have anything in life."

'I've few more good years to play'

"It's unfortunate that last few years I've been in and out of the Test squad due to injury. I've tried my level best. I've few more good years to play. If I'm lucky and get chance to play Test cricket I would be happy.

"I've scored three Test hundreds. I've scored against few fastest attacks of the world. There is no reason why I can't come and again do that. I hope once things fall in place I would be able to make a comeback to Test cricket."

'Young generation prefers IPL to Ranji'

"The young brigade is also desperate to play Test cricket, but the wrong thing is the young cricketers are concentrating more on IPL. The young generation prefers IPL to Ranji. They must concentrate on playing more first class cricket."

On chasing records, Yuvraj said: "Yes it can be. But when you consider Sachin [Tendulkar] or Rahul Dravid you have to see how many years they have been working hard. Tendulkar is an exception and you have to give your thought on that. Then see what you can do the best at your level."

'I think Australia has played good cricket'

"When we went to England there were lot of injuries. We had 15-17 injuries. When you don't have your best players in form or fitness then it's difficult to win oversees. But in Australia, I think Australia has played good cricket."

'I think God has some special plan for Tendulkar'

"If he [Sachin Tendulkar] does not get the 100th hundred then is he not the greatest batsman you have ever seen! He has not got it yet because there is a time for everything. He is getting runs and the moment he gets his 100th hundred then I'm sure he would also get few more. I think God has some special plan for him."

'I've played in Australia and the fans are really rude'

"I've played in Australia and the fans are really rude and they start abusing. Any person standing on the line and around hundred people abusing him is not a good sight. Virat [Kohli] is young and he retaliated. That was his fault. But before talking about the Virat Kohli issue we have to look into security concerns."

'I can't expect to score a 300 in the first match'

"I can't expect to score a 300 in the first match, but whatever I can do would do for my team."

'Helping the poor and younger kids puts a smile on your face'

"I feel lot of young cricketers in Delhi and Haryana are in need of good cricketing facilities. So I thought to open a centre to improve excellence. Helping the poor and younger kids puts a smile on your face. That's a good thing to do.

"There is lot of pressure from Harbhajan [Singh] for marriage. I will wait for Zaheer Khan, then Harbhajan and then I will take a call."