There was finally some good news pouring in for beleaguered former India cricketer Vinod Kambli. The 52-year-old ex-cricketer is currently in ICU of Akruti Hospital in Thane, getting treatment for blood clots in brain, severe urinary infection among other health issues.
In a recent development, the Shiv Sena has extended their support to Vinod Kambli. Mangesh Chivate, the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, visited Kambli and assured him of assistance from the party. The Shrikant Shinde Foundation announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh, which will be provided next week.
The help is much-needed for Kambli, who had shared during a recent interview that he is surviving on a pension of Rs 30,000 per month provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He used to have net worth of around Rs 13 crore, reportedly till a few years back but all of that has been eroded as Kambli has battled with issues of alcohol addiction and has been to the rehab at least 14 times.
Following instructions from Deputy CM Shinde, the financial assistance was confirmed during Chivate’s meeting with Kambli, who was an active cricketer from 1991 to 2000. Chivate also conveyed that both Eknath Shinde and MP Shrikant Shinde would soon meet Kambli and his family to explore further avenues of support.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde provided 5 lakh rupees in financial assistance to former cricketer Vinod Kambli, who was hospitalized due to health issues in Thane. Shinde ensured that Kambli’s treatment would be thorough by coordinating with the… pic.twitter.com/g34CVd2mrx
— IANS (@ians_india) December 25, 2024
Dr Vivek Trivedi, who is treating the 52-year-old cricketer, shared on Tuesday that Kambli’s brain condition remains unstable. He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday evening after experiencing muscle cramps and dizziness at home.
Earlier this month, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar met his childhood friend Kambli and participated in the unveiling of a memorial for their coach, Ramakant Achrekar, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park. In a video of their meeting, Kambli appeared frail, raising concerns about his health.
Speaking to ANI news agency, Dr Trivedi explained that Kambli was admitted with a high-grade fever, muscle cramps and dizziness. Tests revealed a urinary infection and deficiencies in sodium and potassium, which caused the cramps. A brain scan uncovered old clots, likely from a recent stroke. Kambli was admitted to the ICU due to low blood pressure but is now stable. His treatment includes physiotherapy, and he is expected to be discharged in 2-3 days. However, Dr Trivedi noted that degenerative changes in Kambli’s brain require rehabilitation.
“I am feeling better now,” Kambli said after being hospitalized. He expressed gratitude to Tendulkar for his blessings and reflected on his cricketing career. “I will never leave cricket because I remember the centuries and double centuries I have scored. We are three left-handers in the family. I am thankful to Sachin Tendulkar, as his blessings have always been with me.”
Tendulkar and Kambli, who were trained by the late coach Ramakant Achrekar, attended Shardashram Vidyamandir School. On February 24, 1988, the duo famously shared a 664-run partnership in an inter-school match for Shardashram Vidyamandir against St. Xavier’s.
A left-handed batsman, Kambli scored 2,477 runs in his ODI career and 1,084 runs in 17 Test matches, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian cricket.
