Sachin did everything for me, including paying for my two surgeries in 2013: Kambli

The relationship between Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli has been recorded for posterity. From being childhood friends who broke all the records in Mumbai school cricket to playing for India together, they lived a dream others could only wish. 

However, with time, things took a detour - Kambli’s addiction problem, combined with his indiscipline, made it difficult for them to continue the same bond, with Kambli once blaming Tendulkar for not standing by him. 

As the picture of both friends embracing each other at their coach Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial surfaced, many people were quick to shift the blame to Master Blaster for not supporting Kambli in his ill health. However, appearing on The Vickey Lalwani Show, Kambli revealed that Tendulkar paid for his heart surgeries in 2013 and has always been a good friend to him.

"At that time, it came to my mind that Sachin didn't help. I was extremely frustrated. But Sachin did everything for me, including paying for my two surgeries in 2013. We spoke, and childhood friendship came forward," Kambli revealed.

"Sachin told me how to play. I made nine comebacks. We are cricketers; we get hurt. When we get out, we also get hurt," the Mumbaikar added.

Recalling his international career, Kambli, who once hit Shane Warne for 22 runs in one over, stated that he really had fun while playing, calling the double century against England in 1993 at the Wankhede Stadium his favourite. 

"The double hundred at Wankhede, I will cherish the most. Achrekar sir was with me, and we had such a great team. I used to have fun battles with Muttiah Muralitharan and our other opponents.

"My journey wasn't perfect, but I gave it my all. I'm grateful for the support of my family and friends like Sachin," he said.

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