Ailing Vinod Kambli gets help from THIS ex-India legendary cricketer

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli, who is battling multiple health issues, has been lent a helping hand by none other than legendary ex-India opener Sunil Gavaskar.

 

The southpaw was hospitalised in Thane in December last year because of severe urinary infection, and was discharged after almost two weeks, on January 1. He had been suffering from other health issues for the past few years, and had underwent two heart surgeries in 2013, with financial help from childhood friend and former teammate Sachin Tendulkar.

 

He was hospitalised days after attending the inauguration of late coach Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai, which was attended by Tendulkar, too. 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev and Gavaskar had offered support.

 

Now, it is learnt that Gavaskar’s CHAMPS Foundation, which was founded in 1999 and provides assistance to former international sportspersons in need, will give a monthly assistance of Rs 30,000 to Kambli for the rest of his life, starting April 1. It will also provide Rs 30,000 annually for his medical expenses. He, reportedly, gets Rs 30,000 as pension from the BCCI.

 

Times of India quoted Gavaskar's friend Anil Joshi as saying that the former met two of Kambli’s doctors after meeting the former left-handed batter at Wankhede Stadium, and asked the foundation to provide the financial assistance to him.

 

Kambli played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India between 1993-2000, and scored 1,084 runs in Tests and 2,477 runs in ODIs. But, he, reportedly, turned to alcohol and drugs soon after retiring from cricket.

 

Kambli is the second ex-Indian cricketer to get a monthly assistance from Gavaskar’s CHAMPS Foundation, with allrounder Salim Durani being the first.

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