Ex-India cricketer Arun Lal rallying after secret battle with cancer

Former India cricketer and commentator Arun Lal has undergone treatment for jaw cancer and is currently in recovery.

The commentator has been missing from television for some time and due to his battle with jaw cancer.

The 60-year old former India opener is said to be hopeful of returning to the commentary box in "two months".

Lal underwent a fourteen-hour surgery that included jaw replacement at a Kolkata hospital after being detected with the disease in January this year.

A young Arun Lal during his playing days. Pic/mid-day archive

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."

Yuvraj Singh, who successfully battled lung cancer in 2011 and returned to playing international cricket, was among those who called the commentator during the difficult time.

Lal played in 16 Tests and 13 ODIs for India during his two-decade long cricket career -- from 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 he replaced Sunil Gavaskar. He scored 52 and 70 with the match ending in a draw.

His highest score in Test cricket was 93. He hit 6 Test half centuries and one fifty with his highest ODI score being 51. He played Ranji Trophy for Delhi and Bengal (156 first-class matches, 10,421 runs with 30 centuries). A prolific run-getter in the Ranji Trophy, he scored 6763 runs at an average of over 53, putting him fifth in the all-time aggregate list.