One the big reasons for downfall of Vinod Kambli from his highs in Test cricketer after a sparkling debut is presumed to his addiction to alcohol. Kambli was averaging more than even Sir Donald Bradman after his first 4 Tests – scoring back-to-back double hundreds on his way to an average of over 136.
In spite of having an average of over 54 in his first 17 Tests, he never played in the format after the age of 23 and the 1995. It is well known that Kambli went into depression and became an alcoholic over the last decade.
But back in 2003, a few years after his last international match for India in 2000, Kambli was appointed brand ambassador of a major liquor brand. Kambli was associated with the United Breweries (UB) group which was owned by for IPL franchise owner Vijay Mallya in those days. Mallya was initially the owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL team.
Meanwhile Kambli was the brand ambassador of the ‘London Pilsner’ liquor brand. Back then UB group only had a couple of more sportspersons as their brand ambassador apart from Kambli – they were former India football captain Sunil Chettri and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok for their Kingfisher brand.
The company was looking to expand the Mumbai market, which had stagnated. London Pilsner Pint had aimed to capture around 15-20 per cent of the market share. UB’s marketing GM Ramesh Vishwanathan said this about Kambli as a brand ambassador, “We were looking for a jolly, fun loving character which is what the brand is all about. Kambli will be able to make the product younger and more relevant.”
According to media reports, Kambli’s earning from being the brand ambassador for London Pilsner was believed to be a few lakhs. The shooting for the ad featuring the liquor brand and Kambli was organised at Taj Hotel in Mumbai on December 22, 2003.
Meanwhile, Kambli in a recent interview has denied that his health problems were linked to alcohol addiction. “No, no. I had stopped drinking and smoking six months ago. I was driving when I suddenly collapsed, and my wife Andrea rushed me to Lilavati Hospital. Who gets two heart attacks? She stood by me throughout,” Kambli said in an interview to Vicky Lalwani on YouTube.
Vinod Kambli – Sachin Tendulkar has done everything for me. He even helped me financially during my 2 operations. pic.twitter.com/Rl2267bmNK
— TEJASH (@LoyleRohitFan) December 12, 2024
Kambli responded to former India captain Kapil Dev by saying that he’s ready to go back to rehab. “I am ready to go to rehab. As long as my family is with me, I am not scared of anything,” he said.
