Bhopal: ‘Bhopal is my Sasuraal’, said former Indian Cricketer Vinod Kambli on his maiden visit to the state capital on Sunday. My wife was born in Bhopal and that makes the city my ‘Sasuraal’, said the cricketer in a Talk Show here. The former cricketer, in a lighter vein, asked for ‘Paan’ a special thing of his Sasural and also said ‘Hamara Naam Vinod Kambli Aisey Hi Nahi Hey’. The left-handed batsman of yesteryears was in the city on the conclusion of a summer camp held at the International Public School, Misrod.
Kambli replied to the questions put up by the students during the session. He exhorted the students to do everything with honesty and determination. Giving credit for his success to his parents, Kambli said his mother was so caring and concerned about him that she would wait for his arrival as late as midnight. Kambli recalled that his father, also a good cricketer, could not play for the country, but always motivated him to play cricket for the nation. He said his family was so poor that his father had to borrow money to buy a cricket bat and gloves for him.
Kambli admitted the role of his cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar in his success. He said he and Sachin Tendulkar had played together for their school team and did a record batting partnership which brought them into limelight. Tendulkar and he were friends since childhood and both of them still maintain that friendship, said Kambli. About his favourite sports, Kambli said he plays all games besides cricket. He said he is attached to football and he is such a great admirer of Real Madrid team and Cristiano Ronaldo that he has named his son as ‘Jesus Cristiano’.
He said he would leave his place early in the morning and return home at midnight after completing his schooling and cricket practice. Narrating his philosophy of life, Kambli also sang a song, ‘Jina Yahan Marna Yahan, Iske Siwa Jana Kahan’ from the film ‘Mera Naam Joker’. The 15-day summer ended with the display of skills and talents of the students belonging to different schools in the city. The students also presented a cultural programme under the guidance of film and television actor Javed Khan. The participants were awarded certificates.