Kapil Dev Ready To Donate Pension Amount For Ex-Teammate Anshuman Gaekwad’s Cancer Treatment
New Delhi: Legendary Kapil Dev is ready to donate his pension amount for the treatment of his former India teammate Anshuman Gaekwad who has been battling blood cancer alone. Kapil’s decision comes after Gaekwad found no financial support from the BCCI. The news of Gaekwad battling blood cancer came front when his former teammate Sandeep Patil revealed the same in a column for a Mumbai-based newspaper.
The former India captain and coach has been fighting the disease for over a year and was also in London for treatment. The former cricketers have also taken the matter up to BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar, who promised to look into their requests. However, no action from BCCI has been taken so far.
Meanwhile, Kpail and few of his former teammates like Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri and Kirti Azad have come together, looking for every possible means to generate the funds for Gaekwad’s treatment.
“We are ready to contribute by donating our pension amount if the family allows us to,” Kapil was qupted as saying to Sportstar. The 1983 World Cup-winning skipper also voiced negative concerns over BCCI’s lack of ecosystem to help former cricketers when in need.
“It is a 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,” he said. “We are not compelling 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,” added the 65-year-old. According to Kapil, the BCCI should set up a trust that takes care of the cricketers who served the country during their time.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a system. It is great to see this generation of players make 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,” he rued. In his 12-year long career, Gaekwad played for India in 40 Tests. He also coached the Indian team in the late 1990s. Under Gaekwad’s guidance, India won the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah and the Delhi Test against Pakistan where Anil Kumble became the first to take all 10 wickets in an innings.