A purportedly viral video of former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli struggling to walk has left netizens in a state of shock and raised concern over his health. Doing rounds on social media, the video shows Kambli as being disoriented and helpless, with people on the street helping him out. This has prompted fans to urge his close friend and legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar to step in and provide assistance.
While CricketNext could not independently verify the authenticity of the video, it could not independently confirm whether it was Kambli. But media houses jumped on board and reported the man in the video as Kambli, further adding to public concern.
Vinod Kambli urgently needs assistance. I sincerely hope someone from Indian cricket steps forward to help him. It’s heartbreaking to see him in this condition.pic.twitter.com/hWkew6Lxsm
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) August 6, 2024
Kambli’s health has been of major concern at times in the past. In 2013, he suffered a heart attack while driving in Mumbai and was hospitalized. The previous year, he had undergone angioplasty for two blocked arteries. These health issues have been a source of ongoing concern for his fans and well-wishers.
It looks like some sciatic nerve pain or some spine pain issue
— Ujjawal kumar (@sonuujjawal26) August 6, 2024
Dear @BCCI @JayShah please looking this matter. He also Ex cricketer.
— Soni Raj Singh (@SoniDreams_) August 6, 2024
His story could have been so different. The other side of fame, attention and company
— Parag Mandpe (@ParagMandpe) August 6, 2024
Vinod kambali ki esi halat kese ho gyi ?
— Vijay (@veejuparmar) August 6, 2024
It’s extremely sad to learn that Graham Thorpe is no longer with us. His reputation as a naturally gifted, free-flowing batter who played fearlessly and with flair, always stood out. Sending my heartfelt condolences to his family and close ones. Rest in peace, Graham.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 5, 2024
Sadly he became the scapegoat of dirty politics
— Akshay Joshi (@Akshayj0009) August 6, 2024
Vinod Kambli urgently needs assistance. I sincerely hope someone from Indian cricket steps forward to help him. It’s heartbreaking to see him in this condition.pic.twitter.com/hWkew6Lxsm
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) August 6, 2024
Vinod Kambli’s career was indeed much shorter than that of many of his contemporaries, yet there is no denying the fact that it was graced with flashes of brilliant talent and indelible performances. He formed one half of the legendary partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, with whom he shared a glorious friendship from childhood days in Mumbai.
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For cricketers, that late Ramakant Achrekar was their mentor and did represent India at the highest level. Vinod Kambli made his debut in 1991 for India in an ODI match at Sharjah. In his career, he played 104 ODIs, scoring 2477 runs at an average of 32.59 with 14 fifties and two centuries.
In Test cricket, he has played 17 matches, aggregating 1084 runs at an impressive average of 54.20 with four centuries and three fifties. In marked contrast, Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut against Pakistan in November 1989, retired in 2013 as one of the all-time greats of the game.
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To date, Tendulkar has accumulated more than 34,000 runs in international cricket and scored 100 centuries from 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, putting him in the hall of cricket legends. While the outpouring of fans’ anxiety and wishes for Kambli’s speedy recovery continue unabated, the camaraderie shared between the two reminds one of their long journey from young cricket enthusiasts to Indian cricket icons.
