Having fought cancer four years ago, former India batsman and Bengal coach Arun Lal knows a thing or two about conquering a dreadful disease and as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, he feels both immunity and optimism need to be kept high. The former player was detected with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare type of salivary glands cancer, but he overcame the disease and gained abundant hope in the process. “It’s a disease after all. You have to believe that you can fight it. You have no other choice. You have to be prepared for the worst. Hope for the best,” Lal, under whom Bengal made their first Ranji final after 13 years this season, told PTI in an interaction.”You have to keep your immunity level high. You have to fight it. You have to stay positive, and believe in yourself. Eat well, sleep well, keep your immunity level high.”Lal was slated for a fortnight’s holiday in Europe from April 15, but the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to all his plans and he’s now confined at home, like everyone else.
