“We are willing to help him financially” - Balwinder Singh Sandhu reveals Kapil Dev’s condition to help ailing Vinod Kambli
Former India pacer Balwinder Sandhu has revealed legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev's rehab condition for helping the ailing Vinod Kambli. Kambli was recently seen struggling physically at legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar's memorial event.
He clutched onto his childhood friend and former Mumbai teammate Sachin Tendulkar during the event, leaving fans feeling emotional. A video of Kambli struggling to even walk went viral a few months ago, raising extreme concerns about his health and physical condition.
In a recent conversation with the Times of India, Sandhu said Kapil was willing to help Kambli financially only if the latter checked into rehab.
"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," Sandhu said.
Kambli's international career was brief despite an incredible start in Test cricket. The southpaw remains the fastest Indian batter to 1,000 Test runs - in only 14 innings.
He played only 17 Tests despite averaging over 54, with four centuries and three half-centuries. Kambli is also one of India's most accomplished batters in first-class cricket, with almost 10,000 runs at an average of 59.67 in 129 outings.
"What the '83 team wants to do is take care of him" - Sunil Gavaskar on Vinod Kambli
Former India opener and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar echoed Sandhu's sentiments and offered to take care of the ailing Vinod Kambli.
Kambli last played for India in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2000 but played domestic cricket until 2004.
In an interaction with India Today, Gavaskar said:
"I think the '83 Team is very conscious of our younger players. They are like our sons. We are very concerned about our cricketers, particularly when fortune deserts them. So, I dont think the word I want to help him is right. What the '83 team wants to do is take care of him, and help him to get back on his feet."
He added:
"How we will do it, we will see in the very near future. We want to take of him, of cricketers on whom fortune is not smiling on them sometimes. That's want the '83 group want to do."
There were reports in TOI earlier of Kambli going for rehab 14 times but to no avail.