Kambli announces retirement from first class cricket

Mumbai: Former India batsman Vinod Kambli on Friday announced his retirement from first class cricket, bringing to an end a long career that started way back in 1989.

"I wanted to play alongside Sachin (Tendulkar) for one last time, wanted to play in IPL but unfortunately that did not happen," the 39-year-old left-hander told reporters as tears rolled down his face.

"I had informed about my decision to retire to Sachin, my coaches and family members. They all wished me well. I have Sachin`s blessings," said the flamboyant cricketer, who shared a world record partnership of 664 runs with Tendulkar in school cricket in the 80s.

Kambli, who played his last Test when he was 24, rued that despite starting his career in Test cricket with a bang, it did not turn out to be a long one.

"I performed well in Test cricket but unfortunately I didn`t have a long career. I was the fastest to score 1,000 runs (in Tests for India). I thank the BCCI, Mumbai cricket for whatever they have given me," Kambli maintained.
"Till the last year, I was raring to go (in domestic cricket). I served Mumbai (cricket) for long, but the selectors ignored me. I`m disappointed," he said.

Kambli made his Test debut against England in 1993 two years after playing in his first ODI against Pakistan.

His last Test was against New Zealand in 1995 while the match against Sri Lanka at Sharjah in 2000 turned out to be his last ODI.

Kambli, who whacked the first ball he faced in first- class cricket for a six, said he wished to take up coaching and produce good cricketers.

Representing India, Mumbai, and South Africa`s Boland, he scored 9,964 runs, including 35 centuries, from 129 first- class matches at an average of 59.67.

In 17 Tests for India, he scored 1,084 runs at a phenomenal average of 54.20 with the help of four centuries.

Of the four centuries, three were scored in successive innings and two of them were double tons, with his highest being 224 against England in Mumbai in 1993.

Kambli also scored 2,477 runs in 104 ODIs, including two centuries, with the highest being 106.

Kambli, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2009Maharashtra Assembly elections and also dabbled in acting in between, had announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2009.

PTI

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Kambli hits out at Shoaib Akhtar over Sachin claim

Mumbai: Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli on Friday lashed out at retired Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar for claiming that iconic Indian batsman and his long time buddy Sachin Tendulkar was afraid of his bowling.

"Sachin was never scared of Shoaib or anyone. The way he plays his cricket and has scored the highest runs (in Tests and ODIs)...No one is close to him and no one can speak about him like that," Kambli told reporters here after announcing his retirement from first-class cricket.

In a lighter vein, the left-hander, who shared a world-record 664-run partnership with Tendulkar in school- level cricket in 1980s, said, "He feared only my bowling."

Akhtar has claimed in his recently released biography, `Controversially Yours`, that Tendulkar was afraid of facing him.

Kambli also refuted allegations that he had accused Tendulkar of not helping him in times of need, while taking part in TV reality show `Sach ka Saamna` two years back.

"We have a very good friendship since 25 years."

The 39-year-old, who represented India in 17 Tests scoring 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20 besides 2,477 runs in 104 ODIs, said though he wanted to play alongside Tendulkar for one last time and also in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but that could not happen.

"Till the last year, I was raring to go. My fans wanted me to play even in the IPL. If Sachin is fit at this age, why can`t I be?

"I served Mumbai (cricket) for long, but the selectors ignored me. I`m disappointed," he said, getting emotional.

"I performed well in Test cricket but unfortunately I didn't have a long career. I was the fastest to score 1,000 runs (in Tests for India). I thank the BCCI, Mumbai cricket for whatever they have given me," Kambli maintained.

Kambli said his tears during India's loss in the 1996 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata were real and he had cried for the nation.

"The emotions that came out during the 1996 World Cup were true. I cried for the nation. I thought seriously that we had the talent to win that World Cup. We were in a strong position and then we faltered."

Kambli, who has also played first-class cricket for South African team Boland, said he had informed about his decision to retire to Tendulkar, along with his coaches and family member, and he has wished him well.

He said he wished to take up coaching and produce good cricketers.

Kambli has scored 9,964 runs, including 35 centuries, from 129 first-class matches with an average of 59.67.

PTI

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