Sunil Gavaskar’s The Champs Foundation will offer financial assistance to former India cricketer Vinod Kambli, who has been struggling with health issues. The foundation will provide Kambli with Rs 30,000 per month for the rest of his life, as well as an additional Rs 30,000 annually for his medical expenses, according to The Times of India.
Gavaskar met Kambli during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The legendary batter had a brief conversation with Kambli, who had recently recovered from a health setback to attend the event in Mumbai in January 2025, alongside other icons of Mumbai cricket.
According to the report, Gavaskar met with Kambli’s doctors the day after meeting the cricketer at Wankhede Stadium. After learning about his health condition, the legendary cricketer instructed The Champs Foundation to begin providing financial and medical assistance. Kambli will receive Rs 30,000 per month starting from April 1, the report added.
In December 2024, Kambli was initially admitted to a private hospital in Thane for a urinary infection and cramps. However, doctors later discovered blood clots in his brain. Kambli appeared weak as he spoke to the press from his hospital bed during his 10-day treatment. He was discharged on January 1, 2025.
During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India Today, mentioned that the 1983 World Cup-winning team was planning to offer assistance to Kambli.
“The 1983 team is very conscious of the younger players. For me, they are like grandsons. If you see their age, some are like sons. We are all very concerned, particularly when fortunes desert them. I don’t like the word ‘help’. What the 1983 team wants to do is take care of him. We want to take care of Vinod Kambli and help him get back on his feet,” Gavaskar said.
Kambli has been battling health issues for some time now. Last year, a video of Kambli greeting Sachin Tendulkar at an event honouring their childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar, went viral. Kambli’s frail appearance shocked many.
However, Kambli remained in high spirits while recovering from his latest health setback in Thane. Three days after being rushed to the hospital, Kambli was seen singing a motivational song. He thanked his friends and well-wishers for their support during this difficult period. In an emotional statement to the media, Kambli said he was not yet ready to leave cricket.
The former cricketer, known for his destructive left-handed batting, also shared that his son was interested in pursuing cricket, and he was keen to help him realise his dreams.
Kambli played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India between 1991 and 2000. He made an impact in Test cricket, scoring 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20, and 2,477 runs in one-dayers at 32.59. However, injuries, a dip in form, and reports of indiscipline prevented his promising career from reaching its full potential.
After retiring, Kambli explored coaching, reality television, and even politics, but success eluded him in these fields. Despite his love for the game, he was never able to secure a meaningful role within Indian cricket.
