The country’s cricket board has been directed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah to provide financial support of Rs 1 crore to Anshuman Gaekwad, a former cricket player and coach from India, who has been fighting blood cancer for more than a year. For the past year, Gaekwad, 71, has been receiving care at London’s King’s College Hospital.
According to a statement from the BCCI Apex Council, “Jay Shah instructed The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release Rs 1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India’s veteran cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer.” Gaekwad’s family has also been in contact with the BCCI secretary to assess the situation and offer assistance. “The board is supporting Gaekwad’s family at this difficult time and will take any necessary action to ensure Gaekwad recovers quickly.
The statement went on, “The BCCI is certain that Gaekwad will emerge from this period strong and will continue to watch his progress. Earlier, Kapil Dev, the captain of India that won the 1983 World Cup, pleaded with the BCCI to give Gaekwad, his former teammate, financial support.
He disclosed that he is trying to raise money for their teammate, along with other legendary Indians like Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, and Kirti Azad. Sandeep Patil, a former cricket player for India, was the first to urge the BCCI to provide the injured player with financial support.
Gaekwad, 71, has been receiving treatment at King’s College Hospital in London for the past year, according to information disclosed by Patil in a column for Mid-Day. Gaekwad confided in Patil during a medical visit about his pressing need for money to complete his treatment. The legacy of Gaekwad in cricket is noteworthy. Between 1975 and 1987, he participated in 40 Test matches and 15 One-Day Internationals for India. He went on to lead the team twice as head coach (1997–1999 and 2000). In addition to being a coach, Gaekwad was a national selector from 1992 to 1996. (IANS)