New Delhi: For the first time, former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has laid bare his health struggles over the years and spoke at length on his topsy-turvy ties with childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar.
His health has been a topic of discussion among cricket lovers after a visibly frail Kambli was seen in a recent video holding on to Sachin’s hand at an event in Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park. Prior to this, there was another video in August in which he was seen barely being able to walk on his own.
In an interaction with Vickey Lalwani on YouTube, the former left-hand batsman spoke out about his difficulties, crediting Tendulkar with providing significant support including covering the costs of two surgeries in 2013.
Kambli further attributed his harsh comment about Sachin to a moment of frustration, rather than a genuine sentiment.
“Sachin has always been there for me. He has supported me and even paid for my two surgeries. He told me how to play cricket, and I made nine comebacks. We are cricketers and get hurt. We get hurt when we get out,” Kambli said.
“It came to my mind that Sachin didn’t help. I was frustrated and I called him. Our childhood friendship came forward,” he said, regarding his comment that he had made at a reality show way back in 2009.
The two had played the game together in school days and later went on to represent Mumbai as well as the Indian cricket team. In 1998, while playing for Shardashram Vidyamandir School, the duo put up a 664-run partnership in a Harris Shield match with both batsmen scoring triple tons.
Considered a child prodigy, Kambli had a bright start in Indian cricket and was known for his lofted shots with the trademark high backlift. But, the sparks were soon gone as the swashbuckling batsman struggled with his health and made news off the cricket field.
Nevertheless, Kambli scored 1,084 runs which included four centuries in 17 Tests he played for India. His batting average was an impressive 54.20 in the longer format of cricket. In 104 ODIs, he made 2477 runs at an average of 32.59 with two tons.
The 52-year-old former Indian cricketer revealed that he is battling a severe urine infection and how he collapsed a month ago. “I am better now. My wife takes care of me a lot. She took me to three different hospitals and told me, ‘You have to get fit’. Sachin took care of the finances,” he said.
Throughout this tumultuous period, he asserted, his wife Andrea, son, and daughter remained a pillar of strength. “I stopped drinking and smoking six months ago. Did it for the sake of my kids. I used to do it earlier, but I’ve left it behind now,” Kambli said.
With his trademark larger-than-life attitude, Kambli vowed to overcome his current challenges and make a triumphant return. “I’m ready to go to rehab. I want to go there because I don’t fear anything. My family is with me,” he shared.
Several former cricketers have weighed in on Vinod Kambli’s deteriorating health, with some offering words of encouragement and financial support while others mostly suggesting that he must take personal responsibility for his well-being.
Earlier this month, former World Cup winning cricketer Balwinder Singh Sandhu had told a news daily that his former skipper and cricket legend Kapil Dev had made it clear that the 1983 team would help Kambli, provided he was willing to check into rehab first.
Kambli also expressed gratitude for the support of former cricketstars, including Sunil Gavaskar and Ajay Jadeja, who have reached out to him during this challenging time.
“Ajay Jadeja, my good friend, called me up [after the event] and even came to visit me. Even all my friends called me after that video went viral,” he said, regarding the video from the Mumbai function held in memory of his cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar.
“Gavaskar was the one who spoke to me first. After all, he’s an opener,” he said, expressing his gratitude for the support many have offered him.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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