"Had tears in my eyes" - As 52-year-old Vinod Kambli battles severe health issues, former India cricketers get emotional
Former India batter Vinod Kambli is just 52 years old. However, he is battling severe health issues even as many other former cricketers of his age are enjoying a healthy life. Twice in a few months, videos of Kambli have sparked concerns about his emotional and physical well-being.
In August, a clip went viral in which the former India cricketer was seen in a frail condition, struggling to walk and requesting help from some members of the public. Kambli was recently part of a function in Mumbai organized in memory of his and Sachin Tendulkar's late childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar.
At the event, he was greeted affectionately by his old pal Tendulkar. While the video of their heartwarming interaction went viral, he was clearly not in the best of shape. Kambli also struggled to speak when asked to pay tribute to his late coach Achrekar. He did end up singing a famous Bollywood song, but his voice was very incoherent.
After clips of the former India left-hander's appearance from the event in Mumbai went viral, his close friend Marcus Couto confirmed to The Times of India that the former cricketer is battling severe, multiple health issues. He also made the shocking revelation that the 52-year-old has been to rehab as many as 14 times.
Several former India cricketers have reacted with sympathy and concern after observing Kambli's present condition. Here's a compilation of some reactions.
"We want to take care of Vinod Kambli and help him get back on his feet" - Sunil Gavaskar
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has stated that the 1983 World Cup-winning team wants to take care of Kambli and help him get back on his feet. The 75-year-old, while speaking to India Today during the Adelaide Test, commented:
"The 1983 team is very conscious of the younger players. For me, they are like grandsons. If you see their age, some are like sons. We are all very concerned, particularly when fortunes desert them. I don't like the word help. What the 83 team wants to do is take care of him.
"We want to take care of Vinod Kambli and help him get back on his feet. How we will do, we'll see in the future. We want to take care of cricketers who are struggling when fortunes don't smile on them," the Indian legend went on to add.
"He should support himself" - Kapil Dev
Former India all-rounder Kapil Dev, who captained the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, also acknowledged they are keen to help the ailing southpaw. He, however, urged the former left-handed batter to take control of his life first. Speaking at the launch of the Vishwa Samudra Open, the president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) said (as quoted by NDTV):
"We are all (there) to support him. Sunil Gavaskar has already told me on behalf of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, and I extend my help on my behalf, but more than me trying to support him, he should support himself. We can't look after him if he does not want to look after himself."
Earlier, another member of Team India's 1983 World Cup squad, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, told The Times of India that Kapil had told him they could help Kambli only if he checked into rehab first. The former pacer told the newspaper (via Times Now):
"Kapil (Dev, captain of the 1983 team) has told me clearly that if he wants to go to rehab, then we are willing to help him financially. However, he has to check into rehab himself first. Only if he does that, we are ready to foot the bill, irrespective of how long the treatment lasts."
"I couldn't see him in this condition" - Sameer Dighe
Former India and Mumbai keeper-batter Sameer Dighe, who attended the function organized in memory of Achrekar, also got emotional on seeing Kambli in his present condition. Recalling his association with the once flamboyant superstar of Indian cricket, Dighe told The Times of India (via Hindustan Times):
"I met him after many years. He got up and hugged me and called out, 'Samya'. I couldn't see him in this condition. I felt so bad. I had tears in my eyes. We've played together for 14 years (for Mumbai); I pray to God to give him good health."
Once touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Kambli scored consecutive double-hundreds in Test cricket very early in his career. However, his golden period was short-lived. The 52-year-old played only 17 Tests and 104 ODIs, scoring 1,084 and 2,477 runs, respectively.