Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri Raise Funds For Cancer Battling Anshuman Gaekwad; Kapil Dev Seeks Help From BCCI

In a nation where cricket is a religion and cricketers are being praised like gods, a former cricketer who is battling cancer is seeking urgent help. On Saturday, skipper of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team, Kapil Dev requested urgent help for former teammate Anshuman Gaekwad as the latter does not have enough money for his treatment.

In a conversation with Star Sports, Kapil Dev said legendary cricketers Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, and Kirti Azad have been contributing money from their pensions for Gaekwad's treatment, who is admitted since last one year at King's College Hospital in London.

Requesting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the world's richest cricket body, Kapil Dev sought help for his former teammate and friend and also suggested the board to make some special norms to help former players, who served the nation when there was no money involved.

Kapil Dev was confident that the BCCI would listen to his special request and would surely provide financial assistance to the former cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad, who has also served as India's head coach and selector.

"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. 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," Kapil Dev told Sportstar.

Kapil Dev added that unfortunately, there's no system to help former players or people associated with cricket. He underlined that this generation of players make good money. It is good to see the support staff members also being paid well. But in their 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. We are ready to contribute by donating our pension amount if the family allows us to," he added.