Vinod Kambli reveals his financial woes
Vinod Kambli, a former Indian cricketer, is going through a difficult period in his personal life. He is now unemployed and looking for cricket projects to help him make ends meet. His pension from India’s Board of Control for Cricket is his sole source of income.
Vinod Kambli was also tutoring youngsters at the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in Nerul, but the retired cricketer considers Nerul to be too far away. He stated: “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”. He added: “I am a retired cricketer, who is completely dependent on the pension from the BCCI. My only payment at the moment is from the Board, for which I am really thankful and grateful. It takes care of my family.”
Kambli was one of the hottest sensations in Indian cricket in the early 1990s, having made a fantastic start to his career. Kambli scored 793 runs at an average of 113.29 in his first seven Tests, including two double centuries. However, Kambli’s flamboyant lifestyle proved to be a distraction, and after nine comebacks into the squad, the door ultimately closed on the former left-handed hitter.
Kambli began his youthful career alongside Sachin Tendulkar under the tutelage of the famous Ramakant Achrekar, and his brilliant performances frequently overshadowed those of his buddy. In his third Test for India, he scored an astounding 224 runs against England at Wankhede in 1993.
All the early success, along with the amount of money he was making at the time, was too much for the 24-year-old to manage. His flamboyant demeanor and status as an ardent partygoer, along with his inability to play the short ball, unravelled Kambli’s enchantment. The result was a freefall of epic proportions. His performances began to deteriorate and he stopped getting selected to play.
Speaking to reporters, Kambli stated, “I am a retired cricketer, who is completely dependent on the pension from the BCCI. My only payment at the moment is from the Board, for which I am really thankful and grateful. It takes care of my family.”
He remarked, “I need assignments, where I can work with youngsters. I know Mumbai have retained Amol 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 to do…to play as a team. I was seeking help from the MCA . I came into the CIC, but it was an honorary job. I went to the MCA for some help. I have a family to look after. I told the MCA many times that if you require me, I am there whether it is at the Wankhede Stadium or at BKC. Mumbai cricket has given me a lot. I owe my life to this game.”
He also stated that Sachin Tendulkar is aware of his condition, but Kambli does not anticipate any resolution from him. “He knows everything, but I am not expecting anything from him. He gave me the TMGA [Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy] assignment. I was very happy. He has been a very good friend. He has always been there for me. I would go to the Shardashram school, where I would eat food when the team met. That’s where Sachin stood up as a friend. I came from a very poor family,” he added.
