Kapil Dev Addresses Concerns Over Vinod Kambli's Health
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New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Kapil Dev, the renowned captain of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, has voiced his readiness to help Vinod Kambli, a former cricketer, on the condition that the Mumbai star makes an effort to confront his challenges. Kambli played for India in 17 Tests and 104 One-Day Internationals from 1991 to 2000, accumulating 3,561 runs across both formats.
Kapil Dev underscored the significance of self-initiative as a fundamental step towards effective rehabilitation.
During the launch of the Vishwa Samudra Open, Kapil Dev, who also heads the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), stated, "We are all (there) to support him. Sunil Gavaskar has already communicated to me on behalf of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, and I extend my help personally, but more than my support, he must help himself. We can’t take care of him if he doesn’t take care of himself," said Kapil Dev on Monday.
This remark comes amid rising apprehensions about Kambli’s declining health and well-being, which has disheartened the cricket community. Renowned for his explosive batting approach in the 1990s, Kambli now finds himself in a vulnerable physical and emotional state.
The heartfelt appeal coincided with a video that emerged at an event celebrating the legacy of coach Ramakant Achrekar, who mentored both Kambli and Sachin Tendulkar. The footage depicted Kambli, aged 52, appearing frail and noticeably thinner, leaning on Tendulkar for support. At one moment, he struggled to sing, his slurred speech revealing his condition.
The cricketing community, including the 1983 World Cup-winning team, has recently rallied around Kambli, offering their collective support. Gavaskar assured, "What the '83 team wants to do is take care of him. We aim to support Vinod Kambli and assist him in getting back on his feet."
Kambli and Tendulkar both attended Shardashram Vidyamandir school in Mumbai and participated in the nets organized by Achrekar. Kambli, 17, and Tendulkar, 16, set a world record with an unbroken partnership of 664 runs against St Xavier's High School in the Harris Shield semifinal in 1988.
