Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has reassured fans of his safety after a recent video sparked concerns over his deteriorating health.
A video of the former India batter from earlier in the week raised concerns over his health but Kambli has now clarified that he is “fit and fine”. Fans were left worried after a video of Kambli started circulating on WhatsApp groups and social media channels. The undated video showed Kambli struggling to balance himself and walking unsteadily before being assisted by passers-by on the road.
A few days after the incident, Kambli’s friends posted a video of the cricketer, where he assured fans of his well-being.
Read also: Vinod Kambli: What went wrong with Sachin Tendulkar's peer?
“I am good. By the grace of God, I am surviving. [I am] fit and fine.”
He was then engaging in a conversation with his friends, joking that he was fit enough to bat at No.3 and hit his trademark big shots, just like he would while batting in Shivaji Park during his playing time.
After facing some health issues, former Indian cricketer, #Vinodkambli is fit and fine, and doing well. His school mate, Ricky Couto and First Class Umpire, Marcus Couto spent 5 hrs with him yesterday during which he was in good spirits and spoke to several other friends as well. pic.twitter.com/e79LpBKRoc
— Rameshwar Singh (@RSingh6969a) August 9, 2024
Over several years, Kambli's personal life has been the subject of media attention, with a history of issues affecting him since after his playing career ended. In 2013, he was hospitalised after suffering a heart attack, and more recently spoke about dealing with financial issues.
In 2022, he said he was ready to quit alcohol to pursue a job in the Mumbai Cricket Association. The same year, he was arrested for drunk driving. Last year, his wife filed a police complaint claiming he allegedly assaulted her in an inebriated state.
Kambli, once earmarked for a bright future, and childhood friend of Sachin Tendulkar, averaged 32.56 in 104 ODIs. He also had a sensational start in Test cricket, scoring two double-hundreds and as many centuries in his first seven Tests. However, he played only 10 more Tests.
He ended his career with 9,965 first-class runs at an average of 59.67 and 35 hundreds and also made 6,476 List A runs, averaging 41.24.
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