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Vinod Kambli has been suffering from health issues since the last decade.
Vinod Kambli has been admitted to a Thane hospital. (PC: India Today)
Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli’s health condition deteriorated on Saturday (December 21) and he had to be admitted to Akriti Hospital in Thane, Maharashtra. According to India Today, he was stable on Monday but remained under close observation and in critical care.
Kambli played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India, while also making 129 First Class appearances for Mumbai. He has been struggling with health issues since his retirement, which has been compounded by his financial troubles.
Recently, a video went viral where he held onto his Mumbai teammate and fellow prodigy Sachin Tendulkar’s arm, refusing to let go during a memorial event for his childhood coach Ramakanth Achrekar.
“I’m ready to go for rehab. I want to go there because I don’t fear anything. My family is with me,” Kambli shared in an interview with Vickey Lalwani on YouTube afterward.
But he also admitted that he has left alcohol and smoking in the last six months.
“No, no. I had stopped drinking and smoking six months ago. Did it for the sake of my kids. I used to do it earlier, but I’ve left it behind now,” said Kambli.
“I had two heart attacks. My wife rushed me to Lilavati Hospital, and it was Sachin who helped me through it. He paid for my two surgeries in 2013. There was a time I felt Sachin didn’t help me, but I was frustrated. The truth is, he has done everything for me. Our childhood bond has always been strong. My wife Andrea and kids, Jesus and Johanna, have been my strongest supporters. They have stood by me and ensured I get the care I need,” he said.
He has spoken about receiving help from his former teammates as well.
“Gavaskar was the one who spoke to me first,” he said in the interview.
“Jadeja is a very good friend of mine. He came to meet me and said, ‘Come on, get up.’ A lot of people have called me lately. Everyone saw me,” Kambli added. “Definitely, they [BCCI] will help. Abey Kuruvilla (former India pacer) is with BCCI; he is in touch with me, and he is also in touch with my wife.”
Kambli made his international debut against Pakistan in Sharjah in an ODI played on October 18, 1991. His last international match was against Sri Lanka at the same venue on October 29, 2000. Troubles of form and then so-called ‘disciplinary’ issues curtailed a career that was once considered as promising as Tendulkar’s.
