The curious case of Vinod Kambli

[JibranAnsari]

Started off well, but got thoroughly exposed against the WI quicks (minus Ambrose) when WI came to India in 1994. Just could not handle short pitch stuff. His test career virtually ended there.

was dropped too early I guess, 4 centuries in the 21 innings isn't that bad.

 

[DHONI183]

.... an emergency meeting was called of the International Federation of Rusty Batsmen, where the decision to exclude minnows from the World Cup was received with an overwhelming sense of tragedy.

In a funereal atmosphere inside the packed Vinod Kambli Hall, incumbent IFRB president Brendon McCullum was left traumatised by the announcement. "No Canada? No Kenya? How on earth do you expect us to bat ourselves back into form? All this just as I was just starting to decipher Balaji Rao's slider," said McCullum, who averages 153 against Canada.

Link:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/page2/content/story/509617.html

)!!!!

 

[cricketindiafan]

Naah, we did not play too many tests in during '94-'96. Kambli was found out in the '94 series vs WI, post that we played only 2-3 tests with Kambli not doing much. He kept doing well in the ODIs though, was part of the 96 WC team, but had developed a huge attitude problem. He was finally dropped due to indiscipline for the 1996 England tour with two newbies Dravid and Ganguly coming into the side. Rest as they is history.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Got a bad treatment no doubt about it, never really got a chance in tests although he did play a few ODIs after test expulsion. Found out or whatever the guy averages above 50. Theoretically one shouldn't drop a guy unless his average realy falls down to 40 or less. He was young and a talented FTB.

 

[velu]

I think we might see a thread in the future , "Was Rohit Sharma more talented than Virat Kohli?? "

Kmabli made N number of comebacks in ODIs bcoz of sachin and later he blamed sachin for not supporting him .
His test stats are good but think the okayers who replaced him ( dravid and dada , check KU's post )

 

[Bhaijaan]

Rohit is yet to make a test hundred, let alone two double.

 

[IndianWillow]

Kambli was the 90s version of Sehwag, aggressive, talented but also an FTB. No where near Tendulkar. He also had attitude problems and those who replaced him (Dravid, Ganguly etc) ensured there was no comeback for Kambli.

 

[velu]

Err.. Dont compare Sehwag and Kambli and sehwag is not FTB.. issed:
sehwag is fine except when he plays in england

 

[MR__KHAN__JI]

Sehwag is an FTB

 

[IndianWillow]

Err.. Dont compare Sehwag and Kambli and sehwag is not FTB.. issed:
sehwag is fine except when he plays in england

Sehwag was fine down under right? And he is fine except when he plays in SA, Eng etc.

What is Sehwag's outside SC average since 2008. Please check yourself and compare it with his overall average during this period. You have full definition of an FTB.

Sehwag is the greatest flat track player ever, agreed. And some times he does score on bowler friendly pitches. That is it.

 

[velu]

@ IW

Sewhwags record in SA is as good as dravid's or inzi's
was poor this time in aus and always poor in england

he is not an FTB but playing like a FTB these days

 

[Bhaijaan]

Dravid's not really known for performances on bouncy pitches either. Dravid plays swing better, Sehwag's ok against bounce.

 

[Savak]

You only have one chance in life to make it big. I am sure Kambli is full of regrets now just like Akhtar and Aamir and prob even Asif. Its no good pointing fingers and raising if's. Kambli did get ODI matches after 1996 but didnt really make the most of them.

Plus with the likes of Dravid, Ganguly, Sehwag, Laxman, Yuvraj, Kaif coming in his case was weakened even further.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Akhtar still had a memorable career, he only just choked in the ICC's

 

[praveen]

Didn't he run around naked in a hotel?

Na that was Borat and Azamat Bagatov

 

[Bhaijaan]

He did on SRT's command.

 

[Mcgrath]

LOL, anyone who has watched Vinod Kambli struggling against Walsh on Indian pitches would never have made a thread like this. He was a very good player of spin though.

 

[Mcgrath]

@ IW

Sewhwags record in SA is as good as dravid's or inzi's
was poor this time in aus and always poor in england

he is not an FTB but playing like a FTB these days

Averages 20 in NZ, 27 in England and 25 in South Africa. Not one or even two but three countries.

 

[Bhaijaan]

^I have seen Ponting struggling worse than that in India (tests)

 

[ali85]

I only saw Kambli once on TV - crying during World Cup 1996.

I have no idea whether or not he was talented - I was a small kid and didn't watch cricket when he played.

 

[Mcgrath]

^I have seen Ponting struggling worse than that in India (tests)

And did I claim he is a great player of spin? Excluding India he has still done well in Asia( Lanka, Uae and Bangladesh) where Sehwag has done poorly in not one but 3 countries. I still rate Sehwag though, being a ftb is not all that bad when you can destroy bowling attacks like he can.

 

[Mcgrath]

I only saw Kambli once on TV - crying during World Cup 1996.

I have no idea whether or not he was talented - I was a small kid and didn't watch cricket when he played.

lol, I remember watching that match. To be honest, felt really bad for him

 

[Bhaijaan]

And did I claim he is a great player of spin? Excluding India he has still done well in Asia( Lanka, Uae and Bangladesh) where Sehwag has done poorly in not one but 3 countries. I still rate Sehwag though, being a ftb is not all that bad when you can destroy bowling attacks like he can.

Fair call then.

 

[ali85]

lol, I remember watching that match. To be honest, felt really bad for him

Oh yes, World Cup is huge deal for any player.

I remember some details from that match/day (I tend to remember somethings quiet well):

- The day was either Saturday/Sunday.
- In Saudi Arabia, where I was living at the time, it was evening time so either the match was night time (subcontinent) or it was a pre-recorded match.
- The match was against Sri Lanka
- Kambli was wearing gold jewelery.

 

[Mcgrath]

Oh yes, World Cup is huge deal for any player.

I remember some details from that match/day (I tend to remember somethings quiet well):

- The day was either Saturday/Sunday.
- In Saudi Arabia, where I was living at the time, it was evening time so either the match was night time (subcontinent) or it was a pre-recorded match.
- The match was against Sri Lanka
- Kambli was wearing gold jewelery.

He claimed the match was fixed though, not sure how true it is.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Hey don't talk about that match

 

[IndianWillow]

Dravid's not really known for performances on bouncy pitches either. Dravid plays swing better, Sehwag's ok against bounce.

Dravid made a double ton at Adelaide, in a historic winning cause from a difficult position. And many others.

In Gillespie's own words the wicket had good bounce and carry but Dravid held them at bay with remarkable patience and skill. Sehwag is better at handling bounce than swing, for obvious reasons.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Happy Birthday to a talent lost to India's caste system. - At least in his opinion.

 

[Statsman]

Happy Birthday to a talent lost to India's caste system. - At least in his opinion.

What is your opinion?

 

[ExpressPacer]

What is your opinion?

I would say there is some truth to it. We've all heard of Dalit's being treated very poorly across different fields and professions in India. Especially because he had terrific numbers, an average of 54. And kept on piling runs in Domestic. Retired with an average of close to 60. We could say he was just unlucky like Hodge but lets not forget this guy wasn't even 24 when he played his last test.

 

[Napa]

I dont understand it. Why Kambli was dropped from tests? He played 17 test matches, 21 innings. These are his cumulative averages:
34
46.5
105.66
136
136
112.16
113.28
99.75
97.77
93.7
80.41
71.78
63.18
57.16
55.57
55.57
54.2
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...template=results;type=batting;view=cumulative

so he was still averaging over 50 when he was dropped never to play again. Unbelievable.

Kambli was out in 20 of the 21 innings.

Last 7 Tests he played, his cumulative runs were 1084 - 937 = 147 in 10 innings = 14.7 average.

Though an average of 54.2 is impressive, an average of 14.7 over 7 Tests is reason to be dropped. One may argue he should have been given more opportunity for making a comeback. Maybe his ODI performance did not help.

 

[troodon]

Happy Birthday to a talent lost to India's caste system. - At least in his opinion.

The upper caste bowling attack of Walsh, Kenny Benjamin and Ambrose conspired against Kambli the Dalit and peppered him with short pitch stuff. Kambli was never the same batsman after that series.

 

[troodon]

I remember even a trundling Aqib Javed was peppering him with bouncers and Kambli had no clue. He was moving towards his off stump trying to evade the vicious 120k bouncers and finally got bowled for moving too much across his off stump.

 

[ExpressPacer]

The upper caste bowling attack of Walsh, Kenny Benjamin and Ambrose conspired against Kambli the Dalit and peppered him with short pitch stuff. Kambli was never the same batsman after that series.

Of course, he never was. A first class average of (almost) 60 remains to be the greatest cricketing mystery to this very day!

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

He is a drama queen this is why sachin maintains a distance from him. He had the talent but not the hunger. After 1996 world cup he was thrown out of the team but came back after 2-3 years in sharjhah. He made couple of 50's there but nothing special.

I do not want to offend anyone but Umar Akmal reminds me of Kambli. Although akmal is a much better talent and have all the shots in the book but his career is going the same way.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

From the time I started watching Kambli play (1996 onwards), he was AWFUL.

Where is the talent everyone keeps talking about?

Heard Courtney Walsh destroyed him. He was never the same again.

 

[MMHS]

He is a drama queen this is why sachin maintains a distance from him. He had the talent but not the hunger. After 1996 world cup he was thrown out of the team but came back after 2-3 years in sharjhah. He made couple of 50's there but nothing special.

I do not want to offend anyone but Umar Akmal reminds me of Kambli. Although akmal is a much better talent and have all the shots in the book but his career is going the same way.

Probably the near perfect example, if there is any. Both equal in terms of managing fitness as well.

 

[Smbhayi]

Rohit is yet to make a test hundred, let alone two double.

Rohit sees this and hit back two double hundreds in ODI

 

[Thivagar]

Rohit sees this and hit back two double hundreds in ODI

SL is playing India again already?

 

[Justcrazy]

You only have one chance in life to make it big. I am sure Kambli is full of regrets now just like Akhtar and Aamir and prob even Asif. Its no good pointing fingers and raising if's. Kambli did get ODI matches after 1996 but didnt really make the most of them.

Plus with the likes of Dravid, Ganguly, Sehwag, Laxman, Yuvraj, Kaif coming in his case was weakened even further.

Asif and Shoaib situation are completely different

 

[Bilal7]

I dont understand it. Why Kambli was dropped from tests? He played 17 test matches, 21 innings. These are his cumulative averages:
34
46.5
105.66
136
136
112.16
113.28
99.75
97.77
93.7
80.41
71.78
63.18
57.16
55.57
55.57
54.2
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...template=results;type=batting;view=cumulative

so he was still averaging over 50 when he was dropped never to play again. Unbelievable.

From 99, it came down to 50 which shows that he was in poor form. In a few decades people will question why Adam Voges was dropped even though he was averaging 60 but we all know why.

 

[Pollack]

His work ethics weren't good accord to media gossips.Has terrible and careless attitude. If that's true it shows how success smiles on hard work and ethics(kohli,sachin) and frowns on the opposite (kambli)

 

[MenInG]

Mumbai: Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli was arrested for ramming his car into the gate of his residential society in Bandra in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon, a police official said.

He said Mr Kambli, who also allegedly argued with the complex's watchman and some residents after the incident, was released on bail later.

Mr Kambli has been charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 279 (rash driving), 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 427 (mischief causing damage), the Bandra police station official added.

NDTV

 

[MenInG]

"Sometimes, youngsters take up something to impress others. I believe that it is important to love yourself first and bring passion to whatever you like. There are no substitutes for passion, hard work and commitment. Sachin Tendulkar is the perfect example of talent plus hard work. If you are talented but not hard-working enough, then you can go the Vinod Kambli way. If your destiny is beautiful, why worry about the road ahead," Kapil was quoted as saying by Entertainment Times during an interaction with students of Parul University last week.

Hindustan Times

 

[Savak]

Vinod Kambli struggling financially

I need work, I have a family to look after: Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli


Updated on: 17 August,2022 10:33 AM IST | Mumbai

Clayton Murzello , Harit Joshi | clayton@mid-day.com , harit.joshi@mid-day.com

Retired India star Vinod Kambli seeks cricket-related assignments amidst financial strife; urges MCA for work, wants fans to pray for and love him

Less than 30 years ago, Vinod Kambli was a statistician’s delight. 793 runs: That’s the number of Test runs he scored in his first seven Tests. 113.29: That was his Test batting average for 1993. 224 and 227: His top scores for that year. Today, his financial condition is such that he’d be willing to do anything connected with cricket to earn these figures in cash.

Had we not been expecting Kambli, 50, we’d find it difficult to recognise him with a grey beard and hat as he slow-walked his way to the table at the MCA-BKC coffee shop on a wet Tuesday afternoon. The weight-loss may not mean he is super fit although he stresses later that to coach a team, one has to be fit and hence lost weight.

We are used to seeing Kambli with a gold chain, a bracelet and a grand watch. There was nothing of that sort and his cell phone screen is damaged on one side.

He did not drive a car to the club, his well-wisher Nadim Memon picked him up from his Bandra West residence. Kambli also ensured he didn’t waste his half-smoked cigarette.

Outside the coffee shop, Kambli tells us that he needs work and that his only source of income is “BCCI’s Rs 30,000 pension.”

He last coached a team in the 2019 T20 Mumbai League and guided young cricketers at the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in Nerul. The first post-Covid edition of the T20 league has yet to materialise. And where coaching work at the academy is concerned, Kambli said he found Nerul too far to travel to—“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.”

Thankful to BCCI

We ask him to elaborate on his financial difficulties. “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,” he says.

“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.

“I was seeking help from the MCA [Mumbai Cricket Association]. I came into the CIC [Cricket Improvement Committee], 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.”

‘Not an addict’

The rain takes a break, but it’s still dark. Listening to Kambli’s woes starts to get depressing. “After retirement, there is no cricket for you. But if you want to stay steady in life, it is important to have assignments. I am looking for that from the MCA. All I can do is request the MCA president [Dr Vijay Patil] or the secretary [Sanjay Naik] for an assignment,” he says.

While Kambli’s situation is sad, there is this inescapable notion of him liking the good life. Mention alcohol and he insists he’s not an addict, only a social drinker. “Who doesn’t do it,” he asks. He goes on to reveal that he once had 10 pegs of hard liquor one night in the midst of a Ranji Trophy game and got a hundred the next day. “Our coach Balvinder Singh Sandhu was worried whether I would wake up on time. I did and scored a hundred,” he reveals.

For those who fear that Kambli’s love for the good times will come in the way of his future coaching work, he has a message: “There are rules and regulations which everyone has to follow. If there are any rules that don’t allow you to do certain things, everyone must follow them. I will stop it [drinking] immediately if told to do so...no problem at all!”

How can we speak to Kambli and not bring up his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar? We do, and Kambli remarks, “He [Sachin] 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 [places his hand on the academy logo].”

So why are assignments not coming to you, we ask. “The assignments are there, but I don’t intend grabbing someone else’s work. Whatever has to come to me, should come,” he stresses. The other day, we heard that Kambli had to borrow some cash from a friend to get back home from the MCA-BKC club to his residence. He doesn’t deny it. “Yes, it hurts. I was not born rich. I came up in life only by playing cricket. I have got everything through this game. I have seen poverty while growing up. Khana nahi hota tha kabhi-kabhi [there would not be food on some days]. 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. I miss my father and mother,” he says, choking with emotion.

About that viral video...

Only recently, a video clip went viral of a person, who was believed to be Kambli, lurching on a street in an allegedly drunken state. To that, he responds, “If there are false things being spread about me, I will not allow that to happen. My wife Andrea is very strict. If I am going to a function and she tells me not to drink, I follow it. I am scared of her [laughs]. She has given me two kids—a boy [12] and a girl [7] and both are left-handers. What else you want!”

There is something that he wants though. It’s brought up often in our interaction: Work. And from his fans who read this interview: “Pray for me and please give me your love.”

2000

The year in which Vinod Kambli last played for India

Link: https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cric...-former-india-cricketer-vinod-kambli-23241328

Comments: Given the size and scale of India's Cricketing economy. I am shocked Kambli is struggling to find work. His is a sad and cautionary tale, apparently the guy at one point was perceived to be an even more dangerous destructive batsman but sadly had a very indisciplined lifestyle off the field and kept bad company. Looks like he has burnt all his bridges

 

[Savak]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mYXnkm-Gj2s&feature=emb_title

He looks and sounds drunk in this video. Who the hell will want to get involved with this guy in this state?

 

[MenInG]

Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli for allegedly assaulting and abusing his wife in an inebriated state at his home in suburban Bandra, an official said on Sunday. No arrest has been made so far in connection with the alleged incident which took place on Friday, he said. Kambli's wife Andrea in her police complaint alleged that he threw the handle of a cooking pan at her due to which she suffered a head injury, the official from Bandra police station said.

The incident took place between 1 pm and 1.30 pm on Friday when Kambli reached his flat allegedly under the influence of alcohol and started abusing his wife, he said.

Their 12 year-old son, who was present at that time, intervened in the fight, but Kambli went into the kitchen, brought the handle of a broken frying pan and allegedly threw it on his wife due to which she got injured, the official said quoting the complaint.

Kambli's wife later went to the Bhabha Hospital for a medical examination.

Based on her complaint, the Bandra police on Friday registered the FIR against Kambli under Indian Penal Code Sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), the official said.

An investigation is on into the case, he added.

NDTV

 

[Bhaijaan]

India’s fluently english speaking Umar Akmal

 

[jnaveen1980]

Many players did not have their career take off as expected. But they went on to do other things well. Deep Das Gupta was not really an international success. But he could find commentary stint. Some get involved in coaching, mentor something or the other. He could have even offered himself to do coaching for other countries. Sriram is involved with Bangladesh team.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Former Indian Cricketer Vinod Kambli struggles to stand.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He was let down by jealous Sachin.

Ultimately Kambli will go down as another sordid chapter in the notorious career of Tendulkar.

 

[Technics 1210]

He was let down by jealous Sachin.

Ultimately Kambli will go down as another sordid chapter in the notorious career of Tendulkar.

Everyone knew Kambli was the better batsman but fame got to his head and he just ended up mismanaging his career under the advise of none other than Tendulkar.

 

[sweep_shot]

I heard Kambli was more talented than Tendulkar. Not sure if this is true.

I only got to see Kambli for 2-3 years. After that, he faded away.

 

[Savak]

Total Contrast to Sachin. Had leeches and bad company for friends. Led an indisciplined life style and his money eventually dried up.

 

[Romali_rotti]

The Indian Brian Lara.

Came on the scene with a Bang, all the talent in the world with a lack of discipline. Still remember him smacking Shane Warne...

Talent only gets you so far and Kambli is a prime example.

 

[deltexas]

He was let down by jealous Sachin.

Ultimately Kambli will go down as another sordid chapter in the notorious career of Tendulkar.

Like c'mon bud! Your jealousy if Sachin is fine - no issues there- but using that to say its a sordid chapter in a notorious career? Yeah tough to take you seriously.. this guy Kambli instead of focusing on his game blames everyone except him.

 

[sweep_shot]

The Indian Brian Lara.

Came on the scene with a Bang, all the talent in the world with a lack of discipline. Still remember him smacking Shane Warne...

Talent only gets you so far and Kambli is a prime example.

I think Rohit was going down Kambli's way at one point but Rohit managed to make things work. Good for him.

I remember Kambli was crying during WC 1996 semi-final. His final World Cup game.

 

[BouncerGuy]

So sad to see players in this kind of situation. Not sure what his rift actually was with Sachin.

 

[Romali_rotti]

So sad to see players in this kind of situation. Not sure what his rift actually was with Sachin.

His issue was he claims SRT didn't back him when the chips were down.

I don't blame him, SRT is student of the game, he is all about dedication, perseverance and hard work and he would be looking at Kambli who is immature, reckless, party animal and would have thought I don't want to be around him. Nothing wrong with it.

 

[Romali_rotti]

I think Rohit was going down Kambli's way at one point but Rohit managed to make things work. Good for him.

I remember Kambli was crying during WC 1996 semi-final. His final World Cup game.

Nahh no way. No similarities between Rohit & Kambli.

 

[BouncerGuy]

His issue was he claims SRT didn't back him when the chips were down.

I don't blame him, SRT is student of the game, he is all about dedication, perseverance and hard work and he would be looking at Kambli who is immature, reckless, party animal and would have thought I don't want to be around him. Nothing wrong with it.

You gotta support your teammate untill you have some personal problems with that guy. SRT had one I think.

 

[Romali_rotti]

You gotta support your teammate untill you have some personal problems with that guy. SRT had one I think.

I am sure initially SRT would have supported him initially but eventually stopped because of Kamblis behaviour.

 

[Ahmed216]

Former Indian Cricketer Vinod Kambli struggles to stand.

Ohh no that is so sad. Is he seriously ill?

 

[harshjoshi87]

Kambli had some rift with Sachin in the past as he was of the opinion Sachin didn't support him during his last years in international cricket as Sachin was the India captain.

Kambli started off very well with 2 double hundreds in back to back test matches in 1993.

However West Indies bowlers exposed him with the short ball in 1994 home test matches.

He was never the same player again, though he played some crucial innings in 1996 World Cup vs West Indies, Zimbabwe & Pakistan.

He had falling out with the team management for crying episode in the 1996 World Cup semi final.

He was brought back by Sachin in 1997 Sahara Cup, his antics continued. He played a crucial knock alongside Ganguly in Karachi ODI which India won.

Then he was sidelined again as he was injured & guys like Dravid, Laxman, Ramesh & Kanitkar had taken his place in both test as well as ODI teams.

Ganguly brought him back for ICC Champions Trophy 2000, where he played a decent knock against Australia.

Kambli was dropped permanently after his failure in Sharjah tri-series which followed the ICC Champions Trophy as India now had likes of Sehwag, Yuvraj, Kaif.

In recent years, Sachin & Kambli have grown close with Kambli overlooking Sachin's Middlesex academy for a while. I am sure Sachin will help his childhood friend again.

 

[Hitman]

This is Kambli in tears during Sachin's retirement. Jealous of Kambli ....

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

I saw the careers of SRT and Kambli start to finish.

The tragedy in Kambli’s life isn’t that he did not make it as big as SRT. He wasn’t as talented, period.

The tragedy is that he came from the streets, and he never had the typical middle class support - social, structural, educational, cultural - guide him through his initial success.

Kambli had huge potential and was at par with Tendulkar in his teens. Please note the italics.

What happened was that Kambli was unable to make the transition from teenage genius to star cricketer. That simple.

He was found out at the international level. It happens to many if not most players.

Instead of sucking it up and adjusting, like all successful players have to do, Kambli crumbled. SRT had nothing to do with it.

He continued his flamboyant lifestyle, in his head he was still in SRT’s class. Had he gritted it out he could have been a near 100 Test player for India, maybe in the Azhar class. Maybe Rahane +.

But he was mentally not up to it. His lifestyle sucked. And he paid the price.

A lot of African American NBA players go bankrupt because their don’t have the education, family support or structures to start grounded and save their careers/ money.

Kambli is the Indian equivalent - the poor guy never had that backup.

But let’s not confuse him with SRT’s talent or caliber.

 

[Hitman]

I saw the careers of SRT and Kambli start to finish.

The tragedy in Kambli’s life isn’t that he did not make it as big as SRT. He wasn’t as talented, period.

The tragedy is that he came from the streets, and he never had the typical middle class support - social, structural, educational, cultural - guide him through his initial success.

Kambli had huge potential and was at par with Tendulkar in his teens. Please note the italics.

What happened was that Kambli was unable to make the transition from teenage genius to star cricketer. That simple.

He was found out at the international level. It happens to many if not most players.

Instead of sucking it up and adjusting, like all successful players have to do, Kambli crumbled. SRT had nothing to do with it.

He continued his flamboyant lifestyle, in his head he was still in SRT’s class. Had he gritted it out he could have been a near 100 Test player for India, maybe in the Azhar class. Maybe Rahane +.

But he was mentally not up to it. His lifestyle sucked. And he paid the price.

A lot of African American NBA players go bankrupt because their don’t have the education, family support or structures to start grounded and save their careers/ money.

Kambli is the Indian equivalent - the poor guy never had that backup.

But let’s not confuse him with SRT’s talent or caliber.

Could have certainly carved out a better career than that worthless match fixing Azharuddin.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Could have certainly carved out a better career than that worthless match fixing piece of scum Azharuddin.

Yeah Azhar was a cheat but one can’t take away the fact that be was also superbly talented. Kambli had the potential to do as well.

His other problem, apart from a lack of social or family support, was the early comparison to SRT. They were contemporaries, mates, of equal stature in schoolboy cricket.

In his head Kambli always thought himself as an equal to SRT. IMO he could have been 75 percent as good as SRT- IF he worked hard. But he thought he was just as good as SRT, without needing to work for it. And he paid the price.

 

[Hitman]

Yeah Azhar was a cheat but one can’t take away the fact that be was also superbly talented. Kambli had the potential to do as well.

His other problem, apart from a lack of social or family support, was the early comparison to SRT. They were contemporaries, mates, of equal stature in schoolboy cricket.

In his head Kambli always thought himself as an equal to SRT. IMO he could have been 75 percent as good as SRT- IF he worked hard. But he thought he was just as good as SRT, without needing to work for it. And he paid the price.

I'm ashamed that I was such a big fan of Azhar and Jadeja throughout the 90's.

 

[Hitman]

Yeah Azhar was a cheat but one can’t take away the fact that be was also superbly talented. Kambli had the potential to do as well.

His other problem, apart from a lack of social or family support, was the early comparison to SRT. They were contemporaries, mates, of equal stature in schoolboy cricket.

In his head Kambli always thought himself as an equal to SRT. IMO he could have been 75 percent as good as SRT- IF he worked hard. But he thought he was just as good as SRT, without needing to work for it. And he paid the price.

By the way, what talent? The guy averages 36 away from home in Tests. The loser should have been born across the border to compliment their batting culture.

 

[Red-Indian]

I saw the careers of SRT and Kambli start to finish.

The tragedy in Kambli’s life isn’t that he did not make it as big as SRT. He wasn’t as talented, period.

The tragedy is that he came from the streets, and he never had the typical middle class support - social, structural, educational, cultural - guide him through his initial success.

Kambli had huge potential and was at par with Tendulkar in his teens. Please note the italics.

What happened was that Kambli was unable to make the transition from teenage genius to star cricketer. That simple.

He was found out at the international level. It happens to many if not most players.

Instead of sucking it up and adjusting, like all successful players have to do, Kambli crumbled. SRT had nothing to do with it.

He continued his flamboyant lifestyle, in his head he was still in SRT’s class. Had he gritted it out he could have been a near 100 Test player for India, maybe in the Azhar class. Maybe Rahane +.

But he was mentally not up to it. His lifestyle sucked. And he paid the price.

A lot of African American NBA players go bankrupt because their don’t have the education, family support or structures to start grounded and save their careers/ money.

Kambli is the Indian equivalent - the poor guy never had that backup.

But let’s not confuse him with SRT’s talent or caliber.

Well put. I was a kid in Mumbai at around the time the two of them were growing up and while I never saw them play, they were legends in the Mumbai school leagues playing for Shardashram. They used to get crowds to watch them in those games. My real estate swears blue in the face that he was there in the audience during THAT partnership (I don't believe him to be honest). I still remember both their debuts in international cricket like yesterday.

He just never had Tendulkar's talent, work ethic, level headedness or ability to handle pressure. Still could've done more with his career than he did. Sad to see him reduced to this.

 

[deltexas]

I'm ashamed that I was such a big fan of Azhar and Jadeja throughout the 90's.

Oh man , tell me about it ! Yeah , SRT was all the craze those days but being from Hyd - looked forward to Azhars batting like mad. But then the fixing was such a crushing blow - it was like your innocence was forever lost. Totally lost faith as you see your player that you looked up to was such a person. And Ganguly took over during those really rocky times for Ind and restored faith in the game. At the time , each game Ind lost was clouded by fixing due to Azhars shenanigans but Ganguly restored the trust and faith and removed fixing from Ind cricket.

 

[rhony]

Kambli was an out and out FTB. He thought he was Lara before Lara thought Lara was Lara. Overhyped, flamboyant and couldn't deal with the rise in fame. A person with a perpetual victimhood complex can never accept his shortcomings and that was his downfall.

 

[Savak]

Those saying Tendulkar should have done more to help Kambli. Tendulkar went out on a limb for his once best friend i.e. kept pushing for the selectors to include him as captain, kept trying to help Kambli with his influence and connections in Indian Cricket, Tendulkar helped Kambli get a coaching job in Mumbai but Kambli himself complained that the commute was too much for him.

How did Kambli repay him? By crying and letting slip in a tv program that he felt let down by Tendulkar and felt he should have done more to help his friend.

I can't blame Tendulkar for wanting to stay clear of toxic individuals and liabilities.

 

[deltexas]

Those saying Tendulkar should have done more to help Kambli. Tendulkar went out on a limb for his once best friend i.e. kept pushing for the selectors to include him as captain, kept trying to help Kambli with his influence and connections in Indian Cricket, Tendulkar helped Kambli get a coaching job in Mumbai but Kambli himself complained that the commute was too much for him.

How did Kambli repay him? By crying and letting slip in a tv program that he felt let down by Tendulkar and felt he should have done more to help his friend.

I can't blame Tendulkar for wanting to stay clear of toxic individuals and liabilities.

No place in int cricket for friendship. Tendulkar still gave Kambli a lot of chances when he was captain. If you dont perform - you shouldnt be in the team no matter if its your friend , brother etc..

 

[SportsWarrior]

Those saying Tendulkar should have done more to help Kambli. Tendulkar went out on a limb for his once best friend i.e. kept pushing for the selectors to include him as captain, kept trying to help Kambli with his influence and connections in Indian Cricket, Tendulkar helped Kambli get a coaching job in Mumbai but Kambli himself complained that the commute was too much for him.

How did Kambli repay him? By crying and letting slip in a tv program that he felt let down by Tendulkar and felt he should have done more to help his friend.

I can't blame Tendulkar for wanting to stay clear of toxic individuals and liabilities.

yeah, this is true. SRT did everything he could have reasonably done. Even recently he was helping him by allowing him to manage one of his academies. But Kambli always had the arrogance and poor work ethic. The recent example of similar issues is Parthivi Shaw. Just like Shaw, Kambli was a prodigy in his younger days. But as rightly pointed out by Cryin Out Loud he never updated himself once he started playing with big boys. he was exposed by WI, but his technique was not so bad that he couldn't have carved out a decent career for himself. He could have been in the second or third tier Indian great, just like Azhar, Rahane, Pujara, etc. Azhar himself had so many issues against short pitch balls and he did okay for himself. Found some way to deal with it. If Kambli had worked hard he would have found a way. Instead of that he always made himself out to be some sort of a victim

Even after all this he still had a pretty decent career. So many players as talented as him like Ajay Sharma, Raman Lamba, Sandeep Patil, Wasim Jafar, Ramesh, Sanjay Manjrekar etc had worse international career than Kambli. Kambli got to play 100 ODIs for India, and at the time he faded out he was among probably 20 players ever to do so. That is not a small acheivement. There are 100s of players who aspire to play for their country, and representing the country close to 120 times is an achievement in itself.

he just wasted his career only comparing himself to Sachin. Sachin is the greatest every modern batsman, anyone comparing themselves to him, will come up short. That was insanity.

 

[SportsWarrior]

I'm ashamed that I was such a big fan of Azhar and Jadeja throughout the 90's.

tell me about it. i get the hurt. i was one of his greatest admirers, more than even Sachin during Azhar's peak. At his best, he made batting look ridiculously easy. If you had seen his innings in Kolkota, in 1993 or during his England tour in mid 80s, there was no comparison to his class. But He had his limitations, short pitch ball, ball moving away from fourth stump, express bowling etc. Moreover, being a cheat, he lost every ounce of respect i had for him. he is the biggest villain and what could have been in Indian cricket.

 

[Savak]

yeah, this is true. SRT did everything he could have reasonably done. Even recently he was helping him by allowing him to manage one of his academies. But Kambli always had the arrogance and poor work ethic. The recent example of similar issues is Parthivi Shaw. Just like Shaw, Kambli was a prodigy in his younger days. But as rightly pointed out by Cryin Out Loud he never updated himself once he started playing with big boys. he was exposed by WI, but his technique was not so bad that he couldn't have carved out a decent career for himself. He could have been in the second or third tier Indian great, just like Azhar, Rahane, Pujara, etc. Azhar himself had so many issues against short pitch balls and he did okay for himself. Found some way to deal with it. If Kambli had worked hard he would have found a way. Instead of that he always made himself out to be some sort of a victim

Even after all this he still had a pretty decent career. So many players as talented as him like Ajay Sharma, Raman Lamba, Sandeep Patil, Wasim Jafar, Ramesh, Sanjay Manjrekar etc had worse international career than Kambli. Kambli got to play 100 ODIs for India, and at the time he faded out he was among probably 20 players ever to do so. That is not a small acheivement. There are 100s of players who aspire to play for their country, and representing the country close to 120 times is an achievement in itself.

he just wasted his career only comparing himself to Sachin. Sachin is the greatest every modern batsman, anyone comparing themselves to him, will come up short. That was insanity.

Given the amount of money in the Indian Cricketing economy, there should have been some kind of role on offer for him to exploit and still make a decent living for himself. Even now he mentioned in an interview that his only source of income was a Rs 60,000 pension he was getting from the BCCI. His toxic habits have carried on with him even in retirement.

 

[Mockingbird]

Ohh no that is so sad. Is he seriously ill?

One of my closest friends is Kambli’s neighbor. Heard from him that this guy is a drunk mess these days. He has heart issues (had angioplasty done a decade back), but still continues to drink/whatever else he is on these days. He also had a DV case out for battering his wife while drunk. SRT tried for a while to get him more opportunities, but I don’t think he can be redeemed.

Truly one of the saddest stories of wasted potential - only because he was truly talented, a very classy player. See something similar in Prithvi shaw’s fall. Sad to see talented guys who cannot handle pressure.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Given the amount of money in the Indian Cricketing economy, there should have been some kind of role on offer for him to exploit and still make a decent living for himself. Even now he mentioned in an interview that his only source of income was a Rs 60,000 pension he was getting from the BCCI. His toxic habits have carried on with him even in retirement.

how can there be any role when he refuses to accept what he has become and work towards improving himself? He has had fallout with everyone. His wife left him due to domestic abuse, which i fully believe he is capable of inflicting.

I met him personally around 1990. He had not debuted and was in reserves. He was part of a camp, but since he had some sort of injury he was practicing separately. We were in Bombay Gymkhana stadium for tour match from our club and he was practicing in Brabourne along with few other stars like Vengsarkar, Rajput (he was a FC star from Mumbai), Chandranath Pandit, Sanjay Manjrekar etc along with youngsters like Ankola (played for India later), Sachin himself. Couldn't meet Vengsarkar that day but every other person was so nice to come and meet us and give us tips and all. Allowed some of us to bowl in their nets. Ankola bowled to one of my team mate, overall happy to meet and be nice to us although we were clearly leagues below them. You know who had the air of superiority complex, Mr Kambli. He had not even made debut then. He clearly believed he should have been ahead in the line compared to Sachin, Avoided all of us, and was only looked at us whenever he his huge sixes. And man did he hit big sixes against spinners .. He was clearly very talented, but also clearly had attitude issues and arrogance.

Another person who had an air of superiority was Sanjay manjrekar. But most of us were not fan of his and didn't spend much time with him.

Funny thing, is Sachin had already debuted by that time, was the youngest and probably the most talented among them there and was extremely humble. Made small talks, gave some tips, bowled a lot to us, etc. Our coach had played earlier for Mumbai in 70s and he spoke to them in Marathi and was generally such a nice person to be around.

Such a simpler times that was in India. It was so much easier to meet players, especially if you played for any reputable club. Most players were willing to spend time and be nice to other upcoming player. How I wish we had cellphones and cameras all the time.