Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his school-friend Vinod Kambli reunited after many years last week in Mumbai at their coach Ramakant Achrekar’s birth anniversary celebrations. In a video which went viral, Tendulkar was seen greeting his old mate Kambli on the stage and after failing to initially recognize him, Kambli tries to give Tendulkar a hug.
However, this is not the first time that Kambli and Tendulkar had ‘hugged out’ their differences. A few years back, Kambli – who was in better shape health-wise back then – shared the story how he ended a brief feud with Tendulkar.
Back in 2009, Kambli had made a huge claim that Tendulkar could have helped save his career but didn’t. This statement from the former Mumbai southpaw didn’t go down well with the Indian cricket legend and the duo distanced from each other.
But eight years later, the hatchet was buried between the two old friends and Kambli revealed how they patched their relationship. In an interview with TOI newspaper, Kambli had shared that he was very happy that he and Sachin were back together.
The former cricketer also added that he and Sachin hugged it out at the event, and the former is very glad about it. “Yes, everything is fine between us and I’m happy with it. We hugged each other. We want to tell people that we’re back. It was mutual, and I’m very glad about it,” Kambli had told TOI
Two friends, same talent: one a legend admired globally, the other a story of what could’ve been. Sachin Tendulkar thrives as a role model, while Vinod Kambli fades away. Talent gets you started, but discipline keeps you going. Choose wisely.
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) December 3, 2024
Kambli and Tendulkar’s batting partnership dates back to their teenage school years when they put on a record partnership of 664 runs. After Tendulkar was hurt by Kambli’s statement in 2009, the latter was not invited or even mentioned in the former India captain’s farewell speech at the Wankhede Stadium in 2012. Kambli was, of course, hurt by this act of Tendulkar as well.
Kambli said that he was hurt as he had assumed that his name would be a part of Tendulkar’s farewell speech, as he thought their partnership was the turning point of both of their careers.
“I am deeply hurt. I was expecting my name to be part of his farewell speech. If anything for our famous partnership. It’s that world record partnership that was the turning point of our careers. That’s when everyone came to know who is Vinod and Sachin. I had a hand in that and our careers started from there. I thought he could have mentioned that part at least,” Kambli had said.
Meanwhile, it was on December 3, 2024, when Tendulkar met Kambli at an event. In the video, Kambli is seen desperately clutching Tendulkar’s hand and urging him to sit with him. In another video that went viral, Kambli is heard singing the song, ‘Sar Jo Tera Chakraye’ for their coach Ramakant Achrekar and Tendulkar was seen clapping and cheering for his friend.
