In the last one week, dozens of people have asked me this question - Sachin Tendulkar has so much money, why doesn't he help Vinod Kambli. I have answered this question many times and ignored it many times. This was the reason why I was not even writing on this topic. Because if I say that the problem here is not about money, then perhaps people will believe it less. But when legendary players like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar came to help Vinod, I felt that now the illusion that Vinod Kambli's problem is financial should be removed.

It is true that Vinod Kambli has been facing financial problems from time to time. But this is not his first problem. Absolutely not. To talk about this aspect, I felt that it is necessary to convey some aspects to the readers because I have known both these personalities for the last two decades. Before moving ahead, let me also tell you that some Mumbai cricketers have been financially supporting Vinod Kambli for a long time. Sachin is also included in this.

First meeting with Sachin and Kambli

I met Sachin Tendulkar for the first time in 2004 and Vinod Kambli in 2007. In 2004, the Indian team went on a tour of Pakistan for the first time after 14 years. I also went to Pakistan in connection with the coverage of that tour. Where I got a chance to meet Sachin in Karachi. About three years later there was the 2007 World Cup. Cricket programming had gained momentum on TV channels. Was looking for an expert. A senior suggested the name of Vinod Kambli. Spoke to Vinod Kambli. Vinod was away from first class cricket till then. Vinod was about to debut in the world of TV experts. Apart from the World Cup to be played in the West Indies, the Indian team also had to play two small series. For these three series we have added Vinod Kambli as an expert.

Kambli is not easy to handle

We all were aware of Vinod's financial 'struggle'. He mentioned a 'good amount' as professional fee. The management agreed to give them that amount. Became friends with Vinod at that very moment. Whenever Vinod had to come to the program, it was my job to coordinate with him. The trouble started the day I went to West Indies to cover the 2007 World Cup. After this, another partner got the responsibility of coordinating with Vinod. Vinod's attitude towards me was not at all towards my colleague. Vinod did not come for the program (show) on time. Many times I got a call in West Indies, then I called Vinod from there and Vinod came for the program. India was eliminated from the first round of that World Cup and the issue with Vinod not arriving on time did not last long. But it was understood that it is not easy to 'handle' Vinod.

What did Sachin say during 'Sach Ka Saamna'?

In 2007 itself, I joined another channel. The conversation continued with Vinod Kambli on message. I was continuously covering cricket during that time. Used to meet Sachin also on almost every tour. In 2009, Vinod Kambli suddenly gave a statement about Sachin on a TV show. The gist of what he said on an entertainment show was that Sachin did not help him on time. Sachin was on a foreign tour at that time. I talked to both Sachin and Vinod regarding this whole matter. I remember I had asked Sachin whether he would talk to Vinod, he had said that he would definitely talk to Vinod but not on this matter but as a friend. Kambli also tried to avoid the matter by saying that That his words are being misunderstood. Some old players associated with Mumbai cricket have already officially said that when Vinod Kambli and Sachin used to play together, Vinod often used to say wrong things about Sachin's batting.

Kambli was more talented than Sachin

Even Sanjay Manjrekar has written such stories. Even Vinod Kambli used to narrate an anecdote. He said that Ramakant Achrekar sir used to take him and Sachin along for practice in the initial days. After reaching the field, Sachin was made to practice on three different types of wickets whereas Kambli was made to practice on only one wicket. Kambli noticed this many times. After this, one day he mustered up the courage to ask Achrekar sir in a complaining tone - why is Sachin made to practice on different wickets. Achrekar sir replied – Sachin needs practice on such different wickets and you do not need it. That means Kambli was more naturally talented.

Sachin's four friends in 2011

After the Sach Saamna controversy came the 2011 World Cup. That World Cup was around Sachin. The wish of every player of the team was to win the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar. Till that time, Sachin had almost every big and small record of cricket. But, Sachin did not have the World Cup. On the World Cup, we prepared a show called Sachin Ke Chaar Yaar. This show was also based around Vinod Kambli. In this, Manoj Prabhakar, Amol Majumdar and Sairaj Bahutule also used to be expert guests. Sachin played domestic cricket with Amol and Sairaj. In this show, the entire conversation revolved around Sachin, what would he have done in a particular situation? How would he prepare for such and such team?

When Kambli went astray…

The purpose of telling all this was that Vinod Kambli was getting work continuously since 2007. His professional fees had also increased. He was earning in lakhs. His style of speaking was unique. He used to sing songs. He used to speak one-liners in such a way that the listeners enjoyed it. But despite a different kind of professional success, his problems were not diminishing. Most of the news published about him was wrong. His habits were worsening. While commenting on a big channel, he used such an objectionable word that he was fired from there. After this, he distanced himself from his close friends who could question him from time to time. Then during the T20 World Cup in 2021, I did an online interview with Vinod. This interview was done before the India-Pakistan match. After some time of this interview, she completely 'cut-off' herself from Vinod. There was no response from his mobile number. After checking here and there, it came to light that he was in 'rehab'.

Kambli's problem was not money

There were definitely financial struggles in Vinod Kambli's life. But he had overcome those struggles. His problem was the common problems we face in our lives, like comparison with others, not accepting one's weakness, not admitting one's mistake, lying unnecessarily, showing off, these habits weakened Vinod emotionally. Once Vinod Kambli was getting a call from an 'unknown' number. Vinod was not picking up. The caller called 3-4 times continuously. Vinod did not pick up the phone. I was sitting nearby. Another cricketer was with him, he said – Vinod, pick up the phone, who knows if someone is in trouble and is calling. Vinod said- I do not answer calls from unknown numbers.

This is fifteen years old. At that time, unlike today, there were not dozens of calls a day from unknown numbers. That cricketer's answer was - If you had become a star cricketer then perhaps you would not have answered anyone's phone. At that time everyone laughed and avoided the matter. But now it seems that perhaps Vinod's problem was that he could not do justice to the talent he had. Couldn't even get rid of this guilt. Today Vinod does not need financial help, he needs someone to free him from this guilt.