Vinod Kambli’s health situation continues to keep friends and former colleagues concerned, with the former India batter still dealing with ongoing medical issues more than a year after recovering from a urinary infection. While there has been no clear worsening, those close to him say the road to stability remains uncertain, particularly due to a brain clot and the precautions required to reduce further risk.
Key takeaways
- Vinod Kambli is still under medical concern following earlier treatment for a urinary infection, with his condition described as steady rather than deteriorating.
- About 18 months ago, he was hospitalised in Thane and has since been dealing with a clot in his brain.
- His memory is affected, with recollection followed by forgetting, linked to the brain clot.
- He has reportedly stopped drinking, but occasional smoking is an ongoing worry because doctors have warned it raises the risk of a brain stroke.
- There have been encouraging moments recently, including an appearance in a Dinshaw’s ice-cream advertisement shot at Mahim Juvenile Cricket Ground, Shivaji Park.
Ongoing brain clot, memory issues and strict smoking warning
More than a year after his urinary infection episode, Kambli continues to face health challenges. A close associate, Marcus Couto—a former first-class umpire and a friend of Kambli—said the former batter’s situation has not progressed negatively, but he remains “not out of danger” due to complications connected to his brain.
Couto explained that after Kambli was admitted to hospital in Thane roughly 18 months earlier, doctors identified a clot in his brain. He added that Kambli’s memory function has been unreliable: he can recall things briefly and then forget them later, a pattern Couto believes is tied to the clot.
He also revealed that Kambli has quit drinking. However, he said smoking is still seen at times, despite medical advice that it must be avoided completely. Couto pointed to neurosurgeon Aadil Chagla, who has been monitoring Kambli’s treatment, and stressed that smoking is considered especially risky for someone dealing with a brain clot because it can increase the chances of a brain stroke.
Couto further described how smoking requests can come up in everyday situations. He said that when Kambli goes out, people sometimes offer him cigarettes, assuming they are doing a friendly gesture for a former India cricket figure. The warning, Couto said, is that smoking is extremely harmful for him, particularly for his brain health.
Signs of progress and support from the cricket community
Alongside the concerns, Couto highlighted positive developments. He said that around ten days before the interview, Kambli returned to public work after a long gap by appearing in an advertisement for Dinshaw’s ice-cream. The shoot, Couto said, took place at Mahim Juvenile Cricket Ground in Shivaji Park, and Kambli was given a role that suited him.
Couto also said he visited Kambli at his home in Jewel Cooperative Society in Bandra last week, along with Kambli’s brother Ricky and former cricketer Viram Dayal. He described Kambli as appearing to be in “decent health,” with both Kambli and his family in good spirits. Couto added that Kambli now uses a stick to get around, reflecting ongoing mobility needs.
He noted that Kambli’s son, Cristiano, has expressed a desire to pursue cricket. Couto said he asked Jatin Paranjape to enrol Cristiano in his cricket academy, and that the offer was accepted immediately, with Paranjape agreeing not to charge Kambli’s son for the training.
Kambli had drawn fresh attention in December 2024 during a public appearance, when he was seen looking unsteady alongside Sachin Tendulkar. That moment prompted support from major cricket names, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, who offered encouragement linked to his rehabilitation.
Despite continued efforts—including a rehabilitation plan that reportedly received support from members of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning group—long-term recovery is still proving difficult. The hope remains that treatment and careful management will help Kambli regain greater stability, but those close to him emphasise that the situation still requires vigilance.
