'Vinod Kambli never cared about money': Ex-teammate Solly Adams shares unheard tale of India cricketer's Yorkshire days

Vinod_Kambli never cared about money, says former teammate.

Vinod Kambli, a former India cricketer, has been going through a tough time both financially and health-wise — a situation that has not gone unnoticed. Once regarded as one of the most gifted batters of his generation, Kambli’s promising career was cut short, with off-field issues and an unhealthy lifestyle often cited as key reasons.

In December 2024, he was admitted to Akruti Hospital in Thane after suffering from a urinary infection and severe cramps. His condition drew public attention and concern, with several well-known personalities stepping in to offer financial assistance and support during his difficult time.

Also Read - 'Don't know it was mismanagement or...': De Villiers questions Jasprit Bumrah's availability for all 5 Tests vs England

Vinod Kambli, a childhood friend of Sachin Tendulkar, represented India in over 100 One-Day Internationals and 17 Test matches. Recently, an intriguing and previously unheard story involving the duo surfaced, shared by a mutual friend from their time in Yorkshire. This revelation offers a fresh glimpse into the bond and experiences shared by the two cricketers during the early days of their careers in England.

In 1992, Sachin Tendulkar made history by becoming the first overseas player to sign with Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Around the same time, his close friend Vinod Kambli was already in England, gaining recognition while playing for a local club.

Also Read - After stint in movies, this Indian cricketer now makes 42-times his first pay cheque: 'Was signed as junior artist ...'

Kambli quickly became a familiar face in the local cricket circuit and built strong connections during his stint there. According to Solly Adams — the man who played a key role in bringing Sachin to Yorkshire — Kambli was once offered a part-time job but chose to decline the opportunity, as revealed in a recent conversation with The Indian Express.

"One day we were sitting, 10 cricketers. All of them had part-time jobs except for Vinod and Sachin. So a cricketer from Mumbai asked Vinod - 'Since you only earn 25 pound a match, why don't you work at one of Solly's places? Kambli didn't think for a minute, pat came his reply: 'I and Sachin will make money playing Test cricket, I don't want to divert my attention doing part-time jobs.' That was exceptional, what confidence. He was very young, far from being a Test batsman but he had the confidence," Solly told Indian Express.

"Vinod, when he returned to India, took all the money from his father and spent it with his friends ... Vinod never cared about money, nor did he have any respect for commodities," he added.

In addition to others, Kambli’s close friend Nasa Hussain also reflected on the former cricketer’s exceptional talent during his time with the local club. Hussain recalled how Kambli’s natural flair and skill with the bat left a lasting impression on everyone who watched him play.

"As a South Asian, Sachin joining Yorkshire was big news. I'll tell you what was better, he brought along with him his friend Vinod Kambli, who played in our league. I've never-ever met a person who hits the ball as hard as he used to," Nasa Hussain told The Indian Express.

"He just ran down the track and hits the first ball for six, and you think, 'well okay'. Young man from India, never seen before, never heard of before, and he just comes and smashes it. Subsequently, he went on to score two double-hundreds against England. That was some talent. In today's day and age, that guy would have been a multi-millionaire," he added.