Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli was one of the most flamboyant players both on and off the field. The cricket fans growing up in the 1990s are used to seeing Kambli with gold necklaces and bracelets.
However, his downfall and current plight is quite remarkable to say the least. A recent video of Kambli with childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar went viral on social media when the duo were attending a function in Mumbai on their late coach Ramakant Achrekar’s birth anniversary.
A very frail looking Kambli was seen trying to hug Tendulkar at the event. The cricketer who once had net worth of about Rs 12 to 13 crore is currently surviving with a measly BCCI pension of only Rs 30,000.
“Sachin Tendulkar did everything for me, including paying for my surgeries in 2013. My journey wasn’t perfect, but I gave it my all. I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends like Sachin and many others.”
~ Vinod Kamblipic.twitter.com/9P7ddP1L4F
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 13, 2024
A couple of years back Kambli had made a plea while talking to Mumbai tabloid ‘Mid-day’ asking for a job. “I am a retired cricketer, who is completely dependent on the pension from the BCCI. My only payment (source of income) at the moment is from the Board, for which I am really thankful and grateful. It takes care of my family,” Kambli had told Mid-Day.
“I need assignments, where I can work with youngsters. I know Mumbai have retained Amol (Muzumdar) as their head coach, but if anywhere I am needed, I am there. We have played together and we were a great team. That’s what I want them (current Mumbai team) to do…to play as a team,” Kambli was quoted as saying.
After seeing this interview go viral in 2022, a Maharashtra businessman Sandeep Thorat offered Kambli a job worth Rs 100000. But Kambli turned down the offer.
One of the reasons for Kambli turning down the job was that it was not related to cricket. Kambli had been offered a position in the finance division of Sahyadri Industry Group in Mumbai.
Apart from this Kambli was also working with his childhood school mate Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in Nerul, Mumbai. But the 52-year-old former Mumbai southpaw had revealed that he found Nerul too far to travel from his Jewel Tower apartment in Bandra West area in Mumbai.
“I used to wake up at 5am, take a cab to DY Patil Stadium. It was very hectic. I would then coach at the BKC ground in the evening,” Kambli had told Mid-Day.
