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The curious case of Vinod Kambli

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.
not more talented than tendulkar for sure but yeah he was a solid middle order batter, i saw him play quote a few of times and found him a best finisher for India during his days.
 

Vinod Kambli: I am fine, don’t believe social media​


Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli met and spoke to his close cricketing friends on Thursday to assure them about his well-being after a disturbing video went viral in which he is struggling to walk. After Couto brothers, his school classmate Ricky and first-class umpire Marcus, checked on him, Kambli said: “I am fine, don’t believe social media.”

He entertained the Couto brothers for nearly five hours on Thursday afternoon, and in-between reliving memories of his best innings, facing the fearsome bodyline bowling of the West Indies quicks in the 1990s and taking on the late spin wizard, Shane Warne, he also regaled them singing old Hindi melodies. “He was in jolly mood when we met him. He is recovering well and is in much better condition. The video being circulated is outdated. He doesn’t have belly fat and eat his food well. The entire family was present and enjoying each other’s company. His son, Cristiano, also a left-hand batter like his father, was taking batting tips from his father,” said Marcus.

He spoke to several friends, including former teammate Abey Kuruvilla, who is now BCCI GM and Ajinkya Naik, the President of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

 
I am sure initially SRT would have supported him initially but eventually stopped because of Kamblis behaviour.
Kambli played as late as Champions Trophy in 2000. The same trophy in which Zak and Yuvi debuted. he has been given sufficient chances by everyone. If he could not capitalize on them, he has only himself to be blamed.
 
Kambli played as late as Champions Trophy in 2000. The same trophy in which Zak and Yuvi debuted. he has been given sufficient chances by everyone. If he could not capitalize on them, he has only himself to be blamed.
Kambli reminds me of a few folks here who keep making excuses because their country is a failure.

Kambli controlled his destiny, his lifestyle, immaturity, laziness etc lead to his downfall unfortunately..
 
Kambli reminds me of a few folks here who keep making excuses because their country is a failure.

Kambli controlled his destiny, his lifestyle, immaturity, laziness etc lead to his downfall unfortunately..

He would have been a legend if he played in Pakistan. But he was not good enough to play for Bharat. Our batting standards have always been high.
 
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.
Make bcci fix the next icc trophy put Kambli in the squad & a perfect Bollywood script for akshay.
 
He would have been a legend if he played in Pakistan. But he was not good enough to play for Bharat. Our batting standards have always been high.
Had more talent in his little finger than that 29 averaging against West Indies Javed Miandad.
 
Had more talent in his little finger than that 29 averaging against West Indies Javed Miandad.

That’s not true.
Javed Miandad is a Pakistani great and has more talent than Vinod Kambli
 
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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.

Being screwed over by a friend can really hurt someone's psyche. You start to doubt who can be trusted and where to place your faith in a person.
 
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Kambli played as late as Champions Trophy in 2000. The same trophy in which Zak and Yuvi debuted. he has been given sufficient chances by everyone. If he could not capitalize on them, he has only himself to be blamed.
Yes, he got the chances for comeback but he never capitalized on that. But still its a mystery why he was dropped in the first place after that 1996 semifinal loss againt Sri lanka. He was a permanent fixture in the team till then and did okay in that tournament and should not be dropped, after that he just was not the same batsman even he got the chances to make a comeback.
 
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.
Shows why Tendulkar is where he is and why Kambli is where he is these days.

Well written, thanks for sharing.
 
Being screwed over by a friend can really hurt someone's psyche. You start to doubt who can be trusted and where to place your faith in a person.
Can you tell us how SRT screwed over Kambli? What was SRT supposed to have done - keep on advocating for Kambli or select him inspite of all his shenanigans? SRT got him a job as a coach or something, but this guy refused to travel & backed out. Thats when SRT gave up on him.

Fact is that Kambli had a massive ego - he thought that the whole world owed him something without him having to work hard for it. And his addictions were well known even back then. So in short, he has really brought it on himself.
 
Can you tell us how SRT screwed over Kambli? What was SRT supposed to have done - keep on advocating for Kambli or select him inspite of all his shenanigans? SRT got him a job as a coach or something, but this guy refused to travel & backed out. Thats when SRT gave up on him.

Fact is that Kambli had a massive ego - he thought that the whole world owed him something without him having to work hard for it. And his addictions were well known even back then. So in short, he has really brought it on himself.
It pains me to list it all out brother.
 
Kambli was talented but did not have work ethics and his lifestyle was also questionable , early success got on his head.
 
"Gone To Rehab 14 Times": Vinod Kambli's 'Health Issues' Revealed By Close Friend

Former Indian cricket team batter Vinod Kambli's recent public appearance at a memorial event for legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar has left a lot of fans concerned about his health. Earlier, there was a video where Kambli was spotted on the road as he struggled to walk properly. During the recent event, a specific video has gone viral where he clung to his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar's hand and refused to let go while not being able to stand up properly. A close friend of Kambli has now revealed his health issues and said that the ex-cricketer has gone to rehab 14 times already.

"He has severe, multiple health issues," Marcus Couto, a former first-class umpire, told Times of India, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“There's no point in him going for rehab—Kambli has already gone to rehab 14 times! Thrice we took him to a rehab in Vasai.”

Couto visited Kambli at his residence in Bandra back in August when the first video of him struggling to walk on the street went viral on social media.

Kambli also received support from legendary Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev. However, Kapil made it clear that that Kambli must be willing to take the first step towards recovery.

“Kapil (Dev, captain of the 1983 team) has told me clearly that if he wants to go to rehab, then we are willing to help him financially," said former India fast bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

"However, he has to check into rehab himself first. Only if he does that, we are ready to foot the bill, irrespective of how long the treatment lasts," Sandhu added.

Considered two of the finest cricketing talents in the country, Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli began their cricketing journeys on a promising note.

The duo stitched a famous partnership of 664 runs for their school, Shardashram Vidyamandir, in a Harris Shield match while also registering unbeaten triple tons.

Both went on to represent India at the highest level, though Kambli's career went downhill quickly, primarily due to disciplinary issues.

NDTV
 
To Help Vinod Kambli, Sunil Gavaskar And 1983 WC Team Come Forward: 'Like Our Son...'

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has promised to help ex-cricketer Vinod Kambli amid concerns over his physical and mental well-being. Recently, Kambli attended a function honouring the late Ramakant Achrekar, who coached him and Sachin Tendulkar at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Several videos went viral on social media where Kambli even struggled to get up, speak clearly, and properly conduct himself. Seeing his current condition, several fans raised concerns over the well-being of Kambli, who is also going through a financial crisis.

During an interaction, Gavaskar revealed that the 1983 World Cup-winning team is indeed looking to help Kambli.

"I think the '83 Team is very conscious of our younger players. They are like our sons. We are very concerned about our cricketers, particularly when fortune deserts them. So, I don't think the word I want to help him is right. What the '83 team wants to do is take care of him, and help him to get back on his feet. How we will do it, we will see in the very near future. We want to take of him, of cricketers on whom fortune is not smiling on them sometimes. That's want the '83 group want to do," Gavaskar told India Today.

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a member of the 1983 side, also revealed that he and his teammates would be more than happy to help Kambli financially, but only if the former batter was willing to enroll in rehab.

"Kapil (Dev, captain of the 1983 team) has told me clearly that if he wants to go to rehab, then we are willing to help him financially. However, he has to check into rehab himself first. Only if he does that, we are ready to foot the bill, irrespective of how long the treatment last" Sandhu told Times of India in a separate interaction.

As per Times of India, Kambli had gone to rehab 14 times, but to no avail.

Kambli played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India between 1993 and 2000. He is the fastest Indian batter to score 1000 Test runs, a record which stands till date.

NDTV
 
Sad to see the side effects of a childhood friendship with Tendulkar.
 
I mean...Kambli's whole problem always has been very high expectations, when Sachin was captain he did attempt to include him in squads but the problem with Kambli was he was exposed against short pitch pacey stuff and couldn't handle short pitch bowling to his left shoulderblade.
 
Sad to see the side effects of a childhood friendship with Tendulkar.
Yea, Tendulkar asked him to consume access alcohol and mingle with multiple women during foreign tours instead of concentrating on his game.
 
Saw recent videos of Kambli. He looks extremely old and unstable. Health issues and perhaps addiction problems.

Hope Sachin takes care of him. I read somewhere that Sachin constantly helps him. But Kambli falls back in to his bad ways.

I used to be a huge fan of Kambli back in 90’s. He used to be our lone left handed batsman in a sea of right handlers. Very elegant in his stroke play. Sad to see him deteriorate this bad.
 
Vinod Kambli Expresses Willingness To Enter Rehab Amid Health Concerns

The former Indian cricketer, Vinod Kambli has gone on to suggest that he is ready to go into rehabilitation amid concerns over his declining health.

Earlier, a video had gone viral where Kambli had held on to Sachin Tendulkar’s arm, refusing to let go during a public event. But Kambli has gone on record that he is willing to get himself checked into rehabilitation to get himself back in good health.

“I’m ready to go for rehab. I want to go there because I don’t fear anything. My family is with me," Kambli shared in an interview with Vickey Lalwani on YouTube.

Many former cricketers have come out, speaking their opinion on Kambli’s declining health. Some have gone on to offer him support while others have implied that he needs to help himself. Kambli himself revealed that the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Ajay Jadeja have reached out to him in support.


 
Kambli was mighty talented, but very controversial.

He can cry foul, but he brought his own downfall. The characters of the two men (Tendulkar and Kambli) can't be compared. Tendulkar was and is a down to earth person, Kambli never was and this irked the selectors and his teammates.

It's true though, he was rated over Tendulkar at the beginning of their careers, when Tendulkar was 16 and he was 17.

However, Kambli never put in the hard work. He was always after the glamour and the rest is history.
This is what Indian rubbish media ( how much they are rubbish and stupid i got to know very recently ,thats another case) portrayed about Kambli. Kambli was very very talented , efficient batsman,a legend in making. Indian team management back then didn't manage him properly. He was mixture of Virat and Pandya type un personally. He was a patriotic player just like Tendulkar. His crying after 1996 semifinal loss to Srilanka still make me sad. Fixtures gambler like Azhar,Monoj ,Mongia ,Jadeja didn't want him around them.And the lower cast may be another reason.
 
.And the lower cast may be another reason.
This thing has destroyed hundreds of lives in INdia IMO. Anyways, Kambli would have been in similar ranks of legends but drinking habits and poor management destroyed his career.

We should be praying for his better health now
 
This thing has destroyed hundreds of lives in INdia IMO. Anyways, Kambli would have been in similar ranks of legends but drinking habits and poor management destroyed his career.

We should be praying for his better health now
He is solely responsible for his alcoholism.
 
Yes, he got the chances for comeback but he never capitalized on that. But still its a mystery why he was dropped in the first place after that 1996 semifinal loss againt Sri lanka. He was a permanent fixture in the team till then and did okay in that tournament and should not be dropped, after that he just was not the same batsman even he got the chances to make a comeback.
He got injured , India found better batters and on top of that his reputation and discipline was poor.
 
This is what Indian rubbish media ( how much they are rubbish and stupid i got to know very recently ,thats another case) portrayed about Kambli. Kambli was very very talented , efficient batsman,a legend in making. Indian team management back then didn't manage him properly. He was mixture of Virat and Pandya type un personally. He was a patriotic player just like Tendulkar. His crying after 1996 semifinal loss to Srilanka still make me sad. Fixtures gambler like Azhar,Monoj ,Mongia ,Jadeja didn't want him around them.And the lower cast may be another reason.

He made false statements .
 
Vinod Kambli Responds After Kapil Dev Offers To Help Him: "Have No Hesitation..."

Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has agreed to enter rehab amid concerns over his health and financial crisis. Recently, India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev offered to bear the expenses of Kambli's treatment, only if the the latter is willing to enter rehab. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar also came forward and offered to help Kambli, who has already been to rehab 14 times. While admitting that his financial condition is a mess, Kambli credited his wife for managing everything.

"Bad (on his financial condition). But the manner in which my wife has handled everything, hats off to her. [Sunil] Gavaskar was the first to react (to Kapil Dev's offer). Sure, I have no hesitation (to enter rehab), because until I have my family with me, I'm not afraid of anything, anybody. I will complete it and return. I will come back," Kambli said on Vickey Lalwani's YouTube channel.

In 2022, Kambli revealed his only source of income is BCCI's pension, which amounts to Rs 30,000 per month. However, the former batter is confident that the BCCI will come forward to help him if a situation arises. Kambli also revealed that former India cricketers Ajay Jadeja and Abey Kuruvilla have also reached out to him.

"Jadeja is a very good friend of mine. He came to meet me and said 'Come on, get up'. A lot of people have called me lately. Everyone saw me. Definitely, they [BCCI] will help. Abey Kuruvilla (former India pacer) is with BCCI, he is in touch with me, and he is also in touch with my wife," he added.

Recently, Kambli attended a function honouring the late Ramakant Achrekar, who coached him and Sachin Tendulkar at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Several videos went viral on social media where Kambli even struggled to speak properly.

NDTV
 
'Sachin paid for both my surgeries': Vinod Kambli indebted to Tendulkar, bad-mouthed best friend out of 'frustration'

Vinod Kambli opened up on his relationship with Sachin Tendulkar, recalling how the Master Blaster stood by him during his tough times. Visuals of Kambli emerged during the inaugural Ramakant Achrekar memorial in Mumbai two weeks ago, but they did not paint him in the best of health. While many wondered if Kambli was doing alright, certain sections of the fans felt Tendulkar, his childhood best friend, did not support him during his time of need. However, contrary to that belief, Kambli stated that Tendulkar has stood by him through thick and thin. When Kambli suffered two heart attacks in 2013 – four years after the infamous 'Sachin didn't help me enough' episode, it was Tendulkar who took care of the expenses.

"I was not feeling well. I was driving and suddenly collapsed. My wife didn't waste any time and got me admitted to Lilawati Hospital straightaway. I had two heart attacks. Who even has two? I did. She saw everything. She was sitting next to me; she was crying," Kambli recalled in conversation with Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel.

"We have known each other since we were very young. Tendulkar rose in status. Sachin did everything for me. He helped me and did a lot. I underwent two operations at Lilawati. He took care of it. He paid for both my surgeries – helped financially – in 2013."

From being best friends in school to playing together for Sharadashram Vidyamandir, stitching that mammoth 664-run partnership, representing India in the 1992 and 1996 World Cups, Kambli and Tendulkar have been through it all. However, their relationship hit a rough patch in 2009, when in a reality show titled 'Sach ka Saamna', the Indian adaptation of 'Who Dares Wins', Kambli, when asked to answer a question 'Do you believe Sachin could have done more to save you from your self-destructive behaviour?,' said Yes.

This put a crack in their bond, as Kambli and Tendulkar went more than three years without talking. Tendulkar even skipped Kambli's mention in his teary-eyed retirement speech and didn't invite his once best bud for a get-together at home, which witnessed the who's who of Indian cricket attending the event. In an interview, Kambli had said back then that he felt bad that his childhood friend 'forgot' him.

However, things have improved ever since. Kambli picked up a gig at Tendulkar's Middlesex Global Cricket Academy, as the two started appearing together in Instagram posts. But in 2022, when Kambli resurfaced after a long gap and said that his financial condition was a mess – he was dependent on ₹30000 per month pension from BCCI – it shook up fans again. Then, too, Kambli went on record, acknowledging all that Tendulkar had done to help him out.

What happened in 2009, which forced Kambli to say what he did against Tendulkar, was pure frustration: "It came to my mind back then. It was frustration. I know I said it, but it didn't mean anything. Then we started talking to each other eventually. I gave him a call. Childhood friendship came through," he said.

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Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...riend-out-of-frustration-101734077770483.html

 
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Vinod Kambli's Health Deteriorates, Admitted To Hospital. Report Says Condition Stable But...​


Vinod Kambli, former Indian cricket team star, has been admitted to the hospital after his health deteriorated over the weekend. According to an X post by news agency IANS, Kambli, who is a long-time teammate of Sachin Tendulkar, was admitted at Akriti Hospital in Thane late Saturday night. "His condition is now stable but remains critical," the post further said. On Monday, a fan posted a video of Kambli where he could be seen giving a thumbs up. Recently, a video of Kambli went viral which gave rise to speculations regarding his health condition.

Over the past few weeks, a lot has been said and written about former India cricketer Vinod Kambli's health struggles. Recently, Kambli attended a function honouring the late Ramakant Achrekar, who coached him and Sachin Tendulkar at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Several videos went viral on social media where Kambli even struggled to properly conduct himself. However, Kambli has now opened up on his health struggles. The 52-year-old is doing 'better' but suffered a health scare about a month back.

Kambli revealed that he is battling a urine infection, but his wife and kids stood with him like a rock and helped him get back on his feet. He added that former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja came to see him.

"I am better now. My wife takes care of me a lot. She took me to 3 different hospitals and told me 'You have to get fit'. Ajay Jadeja also came to visit me. It felt nice. I was suffering from a urine problem. It was just flowing. My son, Jesus Cristiano, picked me up and brought me back to my feet. My daughter, who is 10 years old, and my wife came to help me. This happened one month ago. My head started spinning; I collapsed and fell down. The doctor told me to get admitted," Kambli told Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel.

 
Kudos to Kapil Dev, Ajay Jadeja for offering help. Wishing Vinod bhai the best. All things aside, he always carried a big smile and a different level of energy with him which was always great to see. An absolute character. Let’s never be too harsh in judging people. Life isn’t a smooth ride for everyone and certain decisions and also luck can play a great role in how life turns out for different people.

I’m glad Vinod Kambli is not a loner and has a family that looks after him.
 
Vinod Kambli's Friend Shares Health Update, Makes Big Medical Bills Revelation

The danger seems to have been averted but former India cricketer Vinod Kambli isn't fully ready to be discharged from the hospital. The cricketer had to be admitted to a hospital in Thane after his health deteriorated. The former India star is said to be doing 'fine' now. His friend Marcus Couto has shared important updates from the hospital. While Kambli is better at present, Couto has asked the hospital to keep the former cricketer in the hospital for about a month, especially as someone else has promised to take care of his medical bills.

"Kambli is doing fine now. He is suffering from a urinary infection and was admitted to the hospital on Saturday. I met him at the hospital today," Couto told the Times of India from Mumbai.

"I told them to treat him at the hospital for a month since he has many health issues. Since someone is ready to spend money on his treatment, why not?" Couto added.

"We always had a cricketing image of sir (Vinod Kambli) in our mind. So, it inspired us that sir needs us and so, the entire team decide to do something for sir. He keeps telling us about his good memories," a doctor at the Akruti Hospital said.

Kambli also thanked the medical team at the hospital for 'keeping him alive'.

"It is because the doctor here that I am alive... All I would say is that I will do whatever sir (referring to the doctor) asks me to. People will see the inspiration that I'll give them," he said.

The 52-year-old was brought to the hospital by one of his fans who is also the owner of the hospital in Bhiwandi's Kalher area in Thane. The exact reasons for his hospitalisation isn't yet known.

Kambli, who played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India between 1993-2000, made his first public appearance in a while when he attended the inauguration of legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar's memorial at the Shivaji Park, alongside Sachin Tendulkar.

SOURCE:https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/vin...kes-big-medical-bills-revelation-7319066?s=08
 
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