“My son picked me up when I collapsed” - Vinod Kambli’s heartbreaking revelations of rehab & other struggles
Vinod Kambli's predicament has become a big talking point among fans and the cricket fraternity. The former Team India batter has now opened up on his situation, sharing the difficulties he faced due to a urine infection.
The 52-year-old stated that his wife Andrea and children Jesus Christiano and Johanna were his pillars of support amid his health problems. Kambli even recalled how his son picked him up after he collapsed.
Opening up on his health condition, here's what Kambli said during an interview with Vickey Lalwani on the latter's YouTube channel (via Times of India):
"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.' My son picked me up when I collapsed, and my daughter and wife stood by me throughout. The doctor told me to get admitted."
Stating that he was willing to go to rehabilitation for his recovery, Kambli added:
"I'm ready to go to rehab. I want to go there because I don't fear anything. My family is with me."
It is worth mentioning that Vinod Kambli's friend, Marcus Couto, had revealed that the ex-cricketer had already been to rehab 14 times. Speaking to the Times of India, he claimed that Kambli had eschewed alcohol for a year.
"Sachin did everything for me" - Vinod Kambli on his childhood friend's gesture
In 2009, Vinod Kambli had expressed his disappointment over the lack of help from childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar during his struggles. He, however, clarified that his comments were a result of frustration.
He revelaed that Tendulkar has in fact helped him immensely, even paying for his surgeries in 2013. Kambli said in the aforementioned interview:
"At that time, it came to my mind that Sachin didn't help. I was extremely frustrated. But Sachin did everything for me, including paying for my two surgeries in 2013. We spoke, and childhood friendship came forward."
Once hailed as a prodigal talent, Vinod Kambli's story didn't have a fairytale ending. The southpaw announced himself on the big stage in style but ultimately failed to unleash his true potential.
Kambli remains the fastest Team India batter to score 1,000 runs in Test cricket, reaching the feat in just 14 innings. He played 17 Tests and chalked up 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20. In ODIs, he finished with 2,477 runs from 94 innings at an average of 32.59.