Mumbai: India’s first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to lend offer financial support to his former teammate Anshuman Gaikwad, who is battling blood cancer.
The 71-year-old Gaekwad underwent treatment at King’s College Hospital in London for about a year, but has now returned to Vadodara.
Kapil said he is confident that the BCCI will look into the matter and provide financial assistance to the former India head coach Gaekwad.
“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,” said Kapil.
He revealed that former teammates like Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri and Kirti Azad are doing their best to generate funds for Gaekwad’s treatment.
“We are not forcing 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,” Kapil told Sportstar.
Kapil said he is ready to donate his pension if the situation doesn’t improve.
“We are ready to contribute by donating our pension amount if the (Gaekwad) family allows us to,” the legendary allrounder said.
Kapil rued the lack of a system whereby former players are assisted in cases like Gaekwad’s.
“It’s great to see this generation of players making 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. 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,” Kapil said.
Gaekwad, who was a model of patience and concentration, played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987. He also served as Team India’s head coach from 1997 t0 199, and then in 2000, when the team finished runners-up in the ICC Champions Trophy.
