Ex-India cricketer says he couldn't bear to see Vinod Kambli in his current condition, had tears in his eyes

Vinod Kambli’s appearance at a recent event sparked concerns over his health, with the former India cricketer looking frail and at times struggling to get up. The left-handed batter had attended the inauguration of the Ramakant Achrekar Memorial , an initiative by close friend and Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, in Mumbai. And besides struggling to move, Kambli had a tough time even speaking at the event, though he did manage to sing a song.

Sameer Dighe, who played alongside Kambli and Tendulkar for Mumbai and shared the Indian dressing room with the latter, admitted he had a hard time seeing the southpaw in his current state and even had tears in his eyes.

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“I met him after many years. He got up and hugged me and called out, ‘Samya’. I couldn’t see him in this condition. I felt so bad. I had tears in my eyes. We’ve played together for 14 years (for Mumbai); I pray to God to give him good health,” Dighe, who represented India in 6 Tests and 23 ODIs, told The Times of India.

VIDEO | Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) met his childhood friend and former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli at the unveiling ceremony of memorial for legendary cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/uTgW0MIfax

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2024

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Kambli has been making headlines largely for the wrong reasons after making the last of his 121 international appearances in October 2000. The 52-year-old, known for leading a flashy lifestyle during his playing career as well as beyond, had once infamously pinned the blame for his downfall on his childhood friend Tendulkar.

He had also been battling alcohol addiction recently and had also revealed that his only source of income was the pension of Rs 30,000 that he received from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Marcus Couto, a former First-Class umpire who is close to Kambli, had revealed to TOI that Kambli has been suffering from “severe, multiple health issues” and had visited a rehab in Vasai near Mumbai a total of 14 times.

Several members of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, including captain Kapil Dev , have offered financial help to Kambli, though they have maintained that the former batter will have to be willing to take the first step towards a recovery.