Once touted as cricket's finest talent Vinod Kambli failed to live up to the expectations. Despite the 52-year-old representing India in 17 Tests and 104 ODIs, Kambli's cricket journey is majorly highlighted with controversies, leading to his downfall. While his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar, with whom the ex-cricketer shares fond memories including record 664-run partnership in a school match in 1988, went to etch his name in the history books.
Kambli was recently seen sharing the stage with Tendulkar and other Mumbai peers at the Ramakant Achrekar memorial event a few weeks ago. Then Kambli appeared frail, struggled to speak clearly, which sparked health concerns as several members of cricket fraternity came forward to extend support the ex-India batter.
The left-handed batter has now spoken for the first time since the incident, where he opened up about his health and spoke in length about his friendship with batting maestro Tendulkar. In an interview with Vickey Lalwani on YouTube, Kambli revealed that he is battling a severe urine infection and how he collapsed due to the same a month ago. He added that his family - wife Andrea, son Jesus Cristiano, and daughter Johanna - played a crucial role in his recovery.
"I am better now. My wife takes care of me a lot. She took me to three different hospitals and told me, 'You have to get fit.' My son picked me up when I collapsed, and my daughter and wife stood by me throughout. The doctor told me to get admitted," Kambli shared.
Many, including India's first World Cup winning skipper Kapil Dev, have suggested Kambli to go back to rehab, which the latter said he is ready to go. "I'm ready to go to rehab. I want to go there because I don't fear anything. My family is with me," he said.
'Sachin did everything for me'
Kambli reunited with his friend Tendulkar at the Ramakant Achrekar memorial event, where he was seen holding the latter's hand. In another video, which went viral from the event, Kambli was seen playing with Tendulkar's hair, reigniting conversations about their storied friendship.
The duo have represented India together but their relationship took a hit in 2009 when Kambli publicly remarked that Tendulkar could have done more to help him out of his struggles. Kambli addressed the same in the interview after 15 years, where he clarified that his remarks were out of frustration. "At that time, it came to my mind that Sachin didn't help. I was extremely frustrated. But Sachin did everything for me, including paying for my two surgeries in 2013. We spoke, and childhood friendship came forward," Kambli said.
"Sachin told me how to play. I made nine comebacks. We are cricketers; we get hurt. When we get out, we also get hurt," he added.
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