For Amanpreet Singh, life has come full circle. The talented Chandigarh-based fast bowler could have already made it to the national side, but fate had something else up its sleeve.

The career of this 6 ft 2 inches tall bowler came to an abrupt halt after he toured South Africa with the Kings XI Punjab during the Indian Premier League’s last season.

Following a headache, Amanpreet was diagnosed with life-threatening Neurocysticercosis (infection in pituitary glands), a disease he picked up after IPL, most likely from the food he ate.

The disorder made Amanpreet, who has represented India (under-19) and Punjab in Ranji Trophy, go through the most trying six months of his life.

In Neurocysticercosis, blood supply to the brain gets affected, resulting in blackouts. Indian tennis legend Leander Paes suffered from a similar disease in 2003. He was operated upon in the US.

Amanpreet also went under the knife twice after coming back to Chandigarh. The surgeries have been successful. But only half the battle has been won. Amanpreet is now looking ahead to get back his fitness and slot in the Punjab side.

For now, he thinks the worst is over. “It seemed everything would get over. But I was lucky, the surgeries went off well. Now, with ample rest and constant interaction with Kings XI Punjab physiotherapist Patrick Farhat, I am feeling much better and fitter,” the 20-year-old told Newsline. “For the last two months I have been practising under my coach Bharti Vij. I know how important it is for me to reach the earlier level. My family, especially my brothers, have been motivating me throughout.”

... contd.