"It felt nice to meet with the kids. When I started playing again after my struggle, the kids got inspiration from that and they have also fought and gone back to the sport they like. It feels good that you are contributing to the society," he told reporters here.
For the first time, city-based Tata Memorial Hospital, a renowned cancer care institution, will be sending 11 children to participate in the next month's World Children's Winners Games, representing India in sports such as swimming, running, table tennis and rifle shooting.
"Nervousness is there because you are not sure how your body will react. I am sure the children would also be nervous when they go to play their tournament. But I have told them nervousness is a good thing. It makes you concentrate. You need a lot of courage to make a comeback. I hope they will do well in the tournament."
The stylish left-handed batsman said he wasn't sure that he wanted to return to the field after his illness.
"Doctors also were a bit uptight on how I was going to come back and how I was going play. But I showed a lot of character, strength and courage. I was lucky enough to also survive it (the disease).