Vinod Kambli’s old friends from his early cricketing days in England are now concerned about his well-being.
Vinod Kambli’s Journey: From Health Struggles to Unfulfilled Potential
Vinod Kambli, whose declining health once worried the entire Indian cricket community, has managed to get his life back on track after receiving support from the BCCI and recovering from a serious infection that hospitalized him months ago. Concerns first arose in December when Vinod Kambli appeared at the unveiling of the Ramakant Achrekar memorial looking unwell. The former India batter, who showed immense promise in the early 1990s before his career took a downturn, remained in the news for over two months due to his health issues.
In an interview, Vinod Kambli revealed he collapsed due to a urinary infection and faced a relapse that required rehospitalization. Thankfully, he has been stable this year, but his struggles continue to spark the biggest ‘what if’ in Indian cricket. Vinod Kambli is considered one of the greatest missed opportunities—a mysterious talent who might have become a legend if not for distractions and setbacks.
Even before his international debut, Vinod Kambli talent was widely recognized. When his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar signed with Yorkshire, Kambli was already in England playing club cricket, impressing many with his power hitting. Friends recall how he smashed sixes on his first ball in local leagues, showcasing a rare natural ability that hinted at his huge potential.
Solly Adam, who secured Tendulkar’s contract, also played a fatherly role for Kambli. Despite financial struggles—earning just 25 pounds a day—Kambli declined offers for part-time jobs, confident in his cricketing future. After a successful season earning 700 pounds, he handed the money to his father, but managing wealth and personal distractions remained challenges for the young talent.
When Vinod Kambli spent 700 pounds with his friends
“One day, there were 10 cricketers sitting together. All of them had part-time jobs except Vinod and Sachin. A Mumbai cricketer asked Vinod, ‘You only earn 25 pounds per match, so why don’t you work at one of Solly’s places?’ Without hesitation, Vinod replied, ‘Sachin and I will make money playing Test cricket; I don’t want to distract myself with part-time jobs.’ That showed incredible confidence. He was very young and far from becoming a Test batsman, but his belief was strong,” Solly told The Indian Express.
“After returning to India, Vinod took all the money he earned and spent it with his friends. He never cared much about money or material possessions,” Solly also wrote in his book.
