New Delhi: The legendary Kapil Dev said he is pained and saddened to see his former teammate Anshuman Gaekwad struggle financially while undergoing his blood cancer treatment in London and that he is ready to donate his pension to help the former India coach. While urging the BCCI to intervene, Kapil revealed he along with some of his former teammates are looking for ways to generate funds for Gaekwad.
It was Patil who shared the news of Gaekwad fighting blood cancer earlier this month and revealed that the former India cricketer needs financial support for his treatment. Patil met Gaekwad at the King’s College Hospital during his visit to London. In his column for Mid-Day, Patil revealed Gaekwad told him that he needs funds to be able to continue his treatment.
Following his column, Patil and Vengsarkar also met with the BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar to seek help and were promised that the board would look into their request soon. However, there has been no official confirmation of any action from BCCI yet. Kapil has come out seeking help for his former teammate in his difficult time and has also requested the BCCI to take up the matter soon.
“It is sad and very depressing. I am in pain because I have played alongside Anshu and can’t bear to see him in this state. No one should suffer. I know the Board will take care of him,” Kapil told Sportstar.
“We are not compelling anyone. Any help for Anshu will have to come from your heart. He took blows on his face and chest when standing up to some of the ferocious fast bowlers. Now is the time for us to stand up for him. I am sure our cricket fans will not fail him. They should pray for his recovery,” he added.
Kapil urges BCCI to set up a system to help former cricketers
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain also urged the BCCI to implement a system and form a trust through which people can donate to support former cricketers. BCCI might be the richest cricket board in the world at present but the board didn’t have enough money to reward and sustain players during Kapil’s playing days.
Kapil said it is pleasing for him to see the current generation of cricketers earning good money along with the team’s support staff. However, he requested the BCCI to also take care of those who served the game in the past and were not fortunate enough to get paid big bucks during their playing days.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a system. It is great to see this generation of players make good money. It is good to see the support staff members also being paid well. In our time, the Board did not have the money. Today, it has and should take care of the senior players from the past,” said Kapil.
“But where do they send their contributions? If a Trust is formed, they can put their money there. But we don’t have a system. There should be a Trust. I think BCCI can do that. They do look after the players, former and present. We are ready to contribute by donating our pension amount if the family allows us to,” he added.
Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India during his career with 1985 and 269 runs in the two formats respectively. He served as the head coach of the Indian team from 1997 to 2000 and was honoured with the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by BCCI in 2018.
The legendary Kapil Dev said he is saddened to see former India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad struggling financially amid his cancer treatment in London. Kapil is ready to donate his pension to fund Gaikwad’s treatment. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
