Vinod Kambli, once a flamboyant and highly skilled cricketer, is now facing a stark contrast from his glory days on the field. Fans from the 1990s remember Kambli adorned with gold necklaces and bracelets, a symbol of his success. However, his current situation is a far cry from his heyday. A recent viral video showed Kambli, frail and struggling, attempting to hug his childhood friend, Sachin Tendulkar, at an event in Mumbai commemorating their late coach, Ramakant Achrekar.
At one point, Kambli’s net worth was estimated to be between Rs 12 to 13 crore. Today, he is living on a BCCI pension of just Rs 30,000, a drastic change from the lavish lifestyle he once led. A few years ago, Kambli had openly expressed his need for a job in an interview with Mid-day, stating that he was dependent on the pension to support his family. He also mentioned his desire to work with younger cricketers, even offering to assist the Mumbai team, despite the team already retaining Amol Muzumdar as their head coach.
In 2022, following the viral interview, businessman Sandeep Thorat offered Kambli a job with a salary of Rs 1 lakh, but Kambli declined, as the position was unrelated to cricket. Additionally, Kambli worked with the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in Nerul, but found the commute from his Bandra West apartment too taxing.