"I am the happiest when I teach a young kid" - Union Home Minister Amit Shah recalls conversation with Vinod Kambli
The Union Home Minister of India Amit Shah recently opened up on an old conversation with former India batter Vinod Kambli. He disclosed that the two had met during a cricket program in Chennai.
Shah had asked Kambli an achievement that he considered the pinnacle of his career, something that gave him extreme joy. Shah expected that left-handed batter to pick his first Test double century as his most cherished moment. However, the 52-year-old's response took him aback.
Sharing Kambli's reply, here's what Shah said at an event: (via Gujarat First's Instagram)
"I met Vinod Kambli during a cricket program in Chennai. He had retired by then, but at one point, he was considered a very good batter. I asked Vinod to tell me the time when he was happiest amid the many ups and downs that he had seen. I expected him to say that he was the happiest when he hit a double century. He replied, 'Sir, I won by beating many big names and broke several records, but even today, I am the happiest when I teach a young kid to play on the back foot.'"
Vinod Kambli made his Team India debut in 1991 and went on to play 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for the Men in Blue. The left-handed batter finished with an impressive Test average of 54.20, inclusive of four hundreds and three fifties.
Kambli remains the fastest Indian batter to complete 1,000 runs in Test cricket, achieving the feat in just 14 innings. He was also the third player to hit two consecutive double centuries in the format. However, once touted as India's newest batting sensation, the southpaw's career ultimately became a tale of unfulfilled potential.
"He has to check into rehab himself" - Balwinder Sandhu shares what Kapil Dev said about Vinod Kambli
Vinod Kambli has battled alcohol addiction all his life and it has had a severe impact on his health. He was once again in the limelight during his recent appearance at a memorial event for coach Ramakant Achrekar, where he struggled to speak and looked extremely frail, leaving fans concerned about his health.
Former India pacer Balwinder Sandhu disclosed that 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev was once ready to help him by footing Kambli's bill for rehabilitation, but only on one condition.
Speaking to TOI, Sandhu said:
"Kapil 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."
Vinod Kambli's last appearance in international cricket came during India's ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He was dismissed for three runs in the final against Sri Lanka as India suffered a batting collapse and were bowled out for just 54, chasing 300.