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Sunil Gavaskar’s foundation is reportedly going to provide medical and financial aid to Vinod Kambli.
Vinod Kambli (left) and Sunil Gavaskar (PTI Photo)
The legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar, will reportedly be coming in to support the former Indian batter, Vinod Kambli, who is currently battling serious health concerns.
According to a report by the Times of India, Gavaskar, via the CHAMPS Foundation, which helps international sportspersons in need, will provide Kambli with a monthly allowance of Rs 30,000 for the rest of his life. The foundation will also provide 30,000 more annually to cover his medical expenses as well.
Gavaskar had met Kambli during the Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary celebrations in January, earlier this year and a video of their interaction went viral when Kambli had touched Gavaskar’s feet.
In December, last year, Kambli was hospitalised for about two weeks after suffering from a urinary infection. Kambli was treated at the Akruti Health City Hospital in Thane by Dr Shailesh Thakur, who revealed that Gavaskar had wanted to help and had even met with the doctors.
“Gavaskar had wanted to help Kambli ever since he learned about his deteriorating health last year. A day after their meeting at the Wankhede Stadium, Gavaskar met two of Kambli’s doctors – Dr Shailesh Thakur and another physician and me.”
The report claims that after fully understanding Kambli’s health condition, he instructed the foundation to begin financial and medical assistance immediately.
Kambli was one of the finest batters in the previous generation but failed to live up to his talent, battling severe alcohol addiction. Most people remember him for his stellar exploits alongside the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, where the two had set a record 664-run partnership in a school game back in 1988. This helped set the two as the next big talents in Indian cricket.
While Sachin had a legendary career, Kambli was not able to match those levels as he played his final international game in October 2000, an ODI game against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. In his career, he has played a total of 17 Tests and 104 ODIs, where he scored 1084 and 2477 runs respectively, and he had a total of six hundreds and 17 half-centuries to his name.
Fans across the country will hope that Kambli can make a full recovery soon.
