Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has fulfilled his promise of helping former India cricketer Vinod Kambli, providing him a monthly aid of ₹30,000 for the rest of his life through his CHAMPS Foundation.
According to a Times of India report, Kambli, whose financial condition isn’t great, will receive this monthly aid from April 1, 2025, for the remainder of his life. Additionally, he will also receive ₹30,000 annually for his medical expenses.
© instagram/vindokambli
Kambli and Gavaskar met during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Wankhede Stadium in January. Despite being in poor physical condition, he offered his respect to Gavaskar by touching his feet.
Pained by Kambli’s condition, Gavaskar met with his two doctors the next day and immediately directed his foundation to begin the financial aid for the former batter.
© Reuters
Gavaskar’s long-time friend, Anil Joshi, told TOI, “Gavaskar had wanted to help Kambli ever since he learnt about his deteriorating health last year.”
“A day after their meeting at Wankhede Stadium, Gavaskar met two of Kambli's doctors – Dr Shailesh Thakur and another physician – and me.
“After being fully briefed on his condition, he instructed the CHAMPS Foundation to immediately begin financial and medical assistance,” he added.
© instagram/vindokambli
Impressed by Gavaskar’s heartwarming gesture, fans hailed him as the “man with the big heart.”
Here’s how fans reacted:
Big heart from Sunil Gavaskar!
— Vignesh Prabhakaran (@vp_boardroom) April 15, 2025
Very good gesture. He has shown the way. Hope others will follow. What about BCCI? What kind of support is the board giving to Kambli?
— Saurabh Suman (@saurabhsum) April 15, 2025
He is the ultimate legend of team India
— Simple man (@Simple__Bandaa_) April 15, 2025
true legends look out for each other Big respect to Sunil Gavaskar
— Banter bhai (@banterbhai) April 15, 2025
Huge respect to Sunil Gavaskar for this heartwarming gesture👏👏🙌
— 𝘼𝘿𝙄𝙏𝙔𝘼 𝙅𝙃𝘼 (@adityaverse_) April 15, 2025
Kambli’s ailing condition became a huge talking point last year after a video of him struggling to stand on his two legs went viral on the internet.
After complaining of urinary infections and cramps, he was hospitalised in December, 2024. He spent nearly two weeks in a Thane hospital before getting discharged.
© instagram/vindokambli
Kambli made a dream start to his international career, scoring consecutive double centuries against England and Zimbabwe in 1993.
He became an overnight sensation but couldn’t repeat the same performance over a longer period. He kept going in and out of the Indian team and would play his last international game in 2000.
