Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 17: Vinod Kambli, former cricketer for India, stated that he is looking for work in the cricket industry because his pension from the Board of Control for Cricket in India is his only source of income.
The post-Covid world has affected the 50-year-old Kambli, who last managed a team in the 2019 T20 Mumbai League, since he only receives INR 30,000 from the BCCI. At the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in Nerul, Kambli used to coach young cricket players. The retiring cricketer believes it would be too far to travel to Nerul.
“I used to wake up at 5am, take a cab to DY Patil Stadium. It was very hectic. I would then coach at the BKC ground in the evening. I am a retired cricketer, who is completely dependent on the pension from the BCCI. My only payment (source of income) at the moment is from the Board, for which I am really thankful and grateful. It takes care of my family,” he said.
“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 went on saying that, “Mumbai cricket has given me a lot. I owe my life to this game. After retirement, there is no cricket for you. But if you want to stay steady in life, it is important to have assignments. I am looking for that from the MCA. All I can do is request the MCA president [Dr Vijay Patil] or the secretary [Sanjay Naik] for an assignment.”
Kambli said when asked if his childhood friend and legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar was aware of this financial predicament, “He (Sachin) knows everything, but I am not expecting anything from him. 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.”
Notably, in 104 One-Day Internationals and 17 Tests, Kambli played for India. Between 1991 and 2000, he amassed 3561 runs across all formats, including four test centuries and two ODI hundreds.
