Years after he quit cricket, former India star Vinod Kambli is once again grabbing the headlines – though this time largely because of his deteriorating health condition.
Considered to have more talent and skill than the legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar, along with whom he set records and burst on to the international stage, Kambli’s life choices have put him on a downward spiral.
Recently, the 53-year-old was admitted to a private hospital in Thane district, near Mumbai, where medical examinations revealed clots in his brain.
Last Sunday, the left-hander from Mumbai who played 17 Tests and 104 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2000, attended celebrations to mark 50 years of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He could barely walk.
In a video widely circulating on the Internet, Kambli is seen being helped by his wife Andrea Hewitt and friends.
The former model and fashion enthusiast, who is Kambli’s second wife, showed commendable patience and strength in handling him.
This was not the case a few years ago when Andrea accused Kambli of domestic violence, claiming he hit her with a frying pan. She moved out with their children, Jesus Christiano and Johanna, but the pair appear to have reconciled.
On and off, Kambli has been in the news for appearing drunk in public and abusing people.
Last October, he drew attention when he struggled to get off his bike in Mumbai. He had to be helped off it by passers-by. Later, he appeared very weak at the unveiling of the Ramakant Achrekar (Tendulkar and Kambli’s coach) memorial in Mumbai.
In November, he revealed that he was treated at three different hospitals for a severe urinary infection. He later said he was on the road to recovery, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the doctors for saving his life.
“I am alive because of the doctors here (Akruti Health City Hospital in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra),” he said. “All I would say is that I will do whatever (the doctor) asks me to. People will see the inspiration that I’ll give them.”
Kambli was once a star in the making and rose to prominence along with Tendulkar in the 90s. Before that, while playing together for their school in 1988, the duo scored a record 664 runs – the highest partnership for any wicket in any class of cricket.
But while Tendulkar went on to become the “god” of cricket, Kambli got more involved in off-field issues, which led to his downfall.
Kambli made his India debut in 1991, but it wasn’t until 1994 that he made a splash with consecutive double centuries in Tests.
He smashed 224 against England in Mumbai and followed it up with another marathon knock of 227 against Zimbabwe in Delhi. However, his temptation for the bling stood between him and the road to success.
He last played a Test in 1995, even though he averaged 54 in the format. Kambli continued to play ODIs till 2000, making nine comebacks. But, despite all his efforts, the batsman’s career ended abruptly at just 28 years of age.
Kambli continued to play domestic cricket for Mumbai until announcing his retirement in 2009. He did a few films in between and appeared on a few reality shows, but neither stint lasted long.
He formed cracks in his relationship with Tendulkar the same year when he said his former teammate could have supported him more and saved him from his indiscipline and downfall. Later in 2013, however, Tendulkar reportedly paid all the hospital bills when Kambli underwent surgery after suffering two heart attacks.
Kambli’s financial condition hasn’t been well for a long time, with the former cricketer surviving on the Indian cricket board’s (BCCI) monthly pension of Rs30,000 ($470).
India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, including Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, have offered him help, but on the condition that he undergoes rehabilitation for his alcohol addiction.
His friend and former first-class umpire Marcus Couto has said Kambli has already undergone 14 rehab programmes.
Dr Vivek Dwivedi, who has treated Kambli, said the former cricketer needs not just rehab, but close monitoring.
“He needs rehabilitation, for which he will need money; a good physiotherapist, good nutritional support and speech therapy, as there is some slurring,” said Dr Dwivedi, adding that Kambli also faces memory loss.
