New Delhi: Amidst his ongoing battle with cancer, the legendary Kapil Dev sent a heartfelt message to former India captain Anshuman Gaekwad. In his emotional message, Kapil sent his best wishes to his former India teammate hoping for his recovery soon. Gaekwad is currently undergoing treatment for blood cancer at a hospital in London.
Recently BCCI announced Rs 1 crore aid for Gaikwad after the likes of Kapil, Sandeep Patil and Dilip Vengsarkar among others requested the board to help Gaikwad, who needed financial support to continue his treatment. It was Patil, who first shared the news of his financial struggles in a column for a newspaper following which several former cricketers joined hands to support him.
Patil also met with BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar along with Vengsarkar to request financial support for Gaekwad while the likes of Kapil and others also urged the board to release funds for the former captain’s treatment. Honouring their request, the Indian cricket board sanctioned Rs 1 crore to support Gaekwad’s treatment.
In a video shared by journalist Vijay Lokapally, Kapil recalled the old times and shared his fond memories of playing with Gaekwad. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain called Gaikwad a fighter while wishing him a speedy recovery from cancer.
“Hi Anshu, I know you are going through a rough time, but it doesn’t matter, we have all gone through rough times in life. I remember all the good days. The first time? When I played under you, you were my captain. And I remember when I was captain you got two hundred runs in Jalandhar against Pakistan, so good memories. Bad difficult times come and go, but I know that you are a fighter,” Kapil said in the video.
From Kapil Dev to Aunshuman Gaekwad…both played under each other’s captaincy. Today, Aunshuman is battling cancer and we all pray he recovers. I gave up drinking ten years ago. Won’t mind a drink with a friend who has a generous heart. Get well soon Aunshu… pic.twitter.com/i8eatv1ZS5
— Vijay Lokapally 🇮🇳 (@vijaylokapally) July 23, 2024
We can have a little drink together: Kapil tells Gaekwad
Further speaking in the video, Kapil also expressed his desire to meet Gaekwad soon and said he wouldn’t mind having a drink together with his former teammate once he has recovered fully and returns home. Kapil gave alcohol ten years ago due to health reasons but is ready for a celebration when Gaekwad is discharged from the hospital after his treatment.
“I hope we meet soon. We will all celebrate together. We had a good time. You just look after yourself. It doesn’t matter whatever happened, it happened for good, and I think you are a wonderful person. We had great stories to talk about. We have a lot to talk about, but firstly you need to get well soon. We will have coffee together and if nothing, then we can have a little drink together as well,” said the 1983 World Cup winner.
71-year-old Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs in his career which spanned between 1975 to 1987. He scored over 2,000 runs in international cricket with two centuries and eleven fifties to his name. After his retirement, Gaekwad also served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in different stints from 1997 to 2000.
Gaekwad was also part of BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) alongside Kapil and former India women’s cricketer Shanta Rangswamy in 2019. The three-member panel had finalised the appointment of WV Raman as the head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team after Ramesh Powar’s sacking in 2019.
Kapil Dev sent a heartfelt message to Former India captain Anshuman Gaekwad, who is currentky undergoing treatment for cancer at a hospital in London. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
