Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has opened up about his financial hardships in the wake of the pandemic, stating he doesn’t even waste half-smoked cigarettes to save money. 

While many former cricketers take up coaching assignments in their second innings, Kambli has struggled to find a gig. His last assignment was coaching a local team in the Mumbai T20 League in 2019 but the pandemic brought a halt to the tournament.

Once touted as the next big thing for Indian cricket, Kambli had a prolific start to his international career, where he averaged over 100 in his first seven matches, but was dropped after a few bad outings. He did make a comeback – nine times in all – but never failed to regain his initial highs. 

Kambli is grateful to his childhood pal Sachin Tendulkar for helping him out in tough times, but he doesn’t expect more now. “He (Sachin) knows everything, but I am not expecting anything from him,” Kambli told Mid-day. “He gave me the TMGA (Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy) assignment. I was very happy. He has been a very good friend. He has always been there for me.”

Kambli, now 50, revealed that he is fully reliant on the monthly pension that he receives from the BCCI, but a sum of 30,000 is not enough to sustain his life in Mumbai. He is willing to take any form of assignment in cricket, and has even knocked on the gates of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), but in vain. 

“I was seeking help from the MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association). I came into the CIC [Cricket Improvement Committee], but it was an honorary job. I went to the MCA for some help. I have a family to look after. I told the MCA many times that if you require me, I am there whether it is at the Wankhede Stadium or at BKC,” he added. 

Kambli played over 100 ODIs and 17 Tests for Team India before retiring from the game. He is also the third youngest batter to notch double hundred, and the fourth fastest to complete 1000 runs in Test.

Lead Image: Vinod Kambli/Twitter