Former Indian Cricketer Vinod Kambli Wants To Work In IPL

Former Indian cricketer and Sachin Tendulkar’s best friend Vinod Kambli is reportedly trying to make his way back into mainstream cricket. Not as a player of course but as a batting mentor/consultant for an IPL franchise. The left-handed star was away from the limelight and the game for quite some time. However, it seems that he is ready to make his return to the bench and is in talks with some of the franchises, existing and the new upcoming ones.

Vinod Kambli was having a great spell for the Indian National Team until he had a bad injury. The left-handed batsman looked like a real threat for his opponents and seemed destined for greatness. However, when things were going great for him, he suffered a serious shin injury in 2008 and missed the inaugural season of IPL. He still has a rod in his left leg. That injury eventually ended his career for good. It was really disappointing for his fans, who were expecting more from the Mumbai-based player.

What Vinod Kambli Said In A Recent Interview Post IPL 2020?

With disappointment all around, Kambli retired, having played 17 tests and 104 ODI’s for Team India. Unfortunately, he was unable to reach his full potential and was moreover an afterthought. Despite that, it has not stopped him from returning to a coaching/advisor role and he is now eager to contribute in IPL 2021.

In a recent interview, Vinod Kambli revealed his dream to become a batting consultant for any IPL franchise. He also announced himself ‘available for any team’ for that role in the upcoming 14th edition of IPL.

Kambli told Times of India, “I am available for any team as a batting consultant. Due to the operation on my shin, I couldn’t run and thus couldn’t play in the first edition of the IPL in 2008. I eventually pulled out of the Mumbai Ranji team and retired. I still have a rod in my left leg! However, it has been my dream to be a batting consultant with one of the teams in the IPL.”

The Story Of A Brilliant Return To IPL 2021 On The Cards?

Kambli mentioned that having played at the highest level of Cricket himself and having observed the game for so long, he could help the youngster with his advice. He believes that his methods are different and the youngsters could surely use it to their benefit. “I have played and watched a lot of cricket. I have a lot of anecdotes that I can share with the youngsters. I want to assist them. Maza ayega (It will be a joy) to assist and boost the young generation.”

When asked about the changes in IPL over the years, the Mumbaikar said, “In our time, the powerplay used to be about the first 15 overs, after which the field used to spread out. That powerplay was like T20 cricket for us! In my time, it was challenging to play the Australian and South African fast bowlers. However, the game has not changed much. I want to help batsmen with what strategy and approach to take in a T20 game.”

What He Concluded By Saying In This Interview?

The 48-year-old went on to conclude his interview by saying, “If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you would have seen that I followed IPL 2020 very closely. All the leg-spinners were bowling googlies. It is a challenge to face so many googlies, and I can help the batsmen in that regard.”

We have seen cricket legends like Rahul Dravid give their everything to uplift the young Indian cricketing talents before. And he has got results as well. Ishan Kishan, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, are all Dravid’s students. Vinod Kambli currently coaches young cricketers at Sachin Tendulkar’s academy and at MCA club in BKC. Having closely monitored the youngsters, Kambli might just be the perfect guy as the batting consultant for any IPL team.

Every year there are dozens of young talents that are coming out into the spotlight, thanks to IPL. Someone like Vinod Kambli has the potential to add to that tally, and any club would love to have him in that role.