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In the 1990s, Vinod Kambli was an eminent figure in the cricketing circle. He was expected to be a huge name but the time came, when he vanished from international cricket due to a massive slump in his performance. His struggle with alcohol addiction impacted his career and life negatively. In October 2000, he featured in international cricket for the last time with the One-Day International (ODI) game between India and Sri Lanka held in Sharjah. His international career ended at the age of 28 only and during his nine-year career, he played only 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India.
Recently, former India player Yograj Singh appeared in an interview with InsideSport and revealed that he advised Kambli against the latter’s lifestyle but the Mumbai-born player refused to take it seriously. “I told Vinod Kambli once, 'These parties, smoking cigarettes, going to girls - stop it; otherwise you'll be finished, and you'll be crying. See what happened to him. I was talking to him personally but then he said, 'Sir, apka time chala gaya (your time has passed). He used to think, 'I'm the king'. You are not bigger than the game," remarked Yograj.
Sunil Gavaskar extends assistance to Vinod Kambli in the latter’s difficult time
Vinod Kambli, who is suffering from health and financial issues, is receiving help from Sunil Gavaskar’s foundation. As per reports, Kambli receives monthly assistance of INR 30,000 for the rest of his life since April 1. The foundation also gives INR 30,000 annually for his medical expenses.
Kambli also hit the headlines earlier this year following his wife Andrea Hewitt’s revelation that she filed for divorce in 2023 but decided to take it back after noting her husband's miserable condition. Both Kambli and Andrea got hitched in 2006 in a private ceremony held in a civil court.
