...On condition that he checks into rehab first
MUMBAI: For the second time in months, a disturbing video emerged of former India batter Vinod Kambli. In August, cricket fans were stunned to see Kambli struggling to walk properly, when someone captured it on camera.
On Tuesday, another video immediately went viral, where the 52-year-old was seen clutching his childhood friend, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's hand, trying to continue making conversation with him when they met on stage in a rare public meeting between the two.
They had congregated at Shivaji Park during a memorial ceremony for their childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar. Also gone viral is his muddled and incoherent speech in the tribute Kambli attempted for his beloved coach.
Marcus Couto, childhood cricketing friend, clarified Kambli's r eaction on Tuesday. "He wasn't drunk or something. He hasn't touched a drop of alcohol for the past one year," Couto told TOI on Wednesday, "It's just that he became very emotional during his brief meeting with Sachin, who greeted him nicely on the stage. He was very enthusiastic about meeting Sachin and attending the function."
It was a poignant moment. "I met him after many years. He got up and hugged me and called out: 'Samya!'" said former India and Mumbai wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe, "I couldn't see him in his present condition. I felt so bad. I had tears in my eyes."
"We've played together for 14 y ears (for Mumbai), I pray to God to give him good health," added Dighe.
"He has severe, multiple health issues," Couto, a former First-Class umpire, revealed, "There's no point in him going for rehab - Kambli has already gone to rehab 14 times! Thrice we took him to a rehab in Vasai."
After the first video emerged in August, revealing that Kambli has serious ailments, Couto and his brother Ricky visited Kambli at his Jewel Cooperative Society residence in Bandra.
While many of his cricketing colleagues have long given up on Kambli due to his issues with alcohol addiction, Tuesday's viral video has moved members of India's 1983 World Cup winning team to help the left-hander. But there is a condition. Kambli's World Cup winning seniors want the man to be willing to help himself first.
"Kapil (Dev, captain of the 1983 team) has told me clearly that if he wants to go to rehab, then we are willing to help him financially. However, he has to check into rehab himself first," former India seamer Balwinder Singh Sandhu told TOI on Wednesday.
"Only if he does that, we are ready to foot the bill, irrespective of how long the treatment lasts," added Sandhu. The 1983 team had also come together to help former India opener and coach Anshuman Gaekwad for his cancer treatment.
This 'offer to help' by the 1983 champions could well be the last one that Kambli could be receiving from the Indian cricketing circle. "Not many are willing to help him," rued Sandhu, "It is well known his troubles start and end with alcohol. Kapil has had a bad experience with him. He had helped him get a job as a cricket expert on a New Delhi news channel, but Kambli only showed up a couple of times and then just stopped. I've asked Nilesh (Kulkarni), Abey (Kuruvilla) and Paras (Mhambrey), all who have played with him, about what can be done to help him. They have all given up on him. I've known him and Sachin from the time they were just 12. Sadly, we are losing a fine cricketer."
