Early Life and Background
- Birth and Origin : Vinod Kambli was born on January 18, 1972, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He hails from a Maharashtrian Hindu family and grew up in Indira Nagar, Kanjur Marg, Mumbai.
- Childhood Friend of Sachin Tendulkar : Kambli is a childhood friend of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The two shared a notable partnership in school cricket.
Cricket Career Highlights
- Impressive School Partnership : Kambli and Tendulkar set a world record with an unbroken 664-run partnership in a school match against St. Xavier’s School, Fort. Kambli scored 349 runs in this historic innings.
- Test Debut and Success : Kambli made his Test debut in 1992. He scored four centuries, including two double centuries. He holds the record for the fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs in just 14 innings.
- Notable Test Performances : His remarkable performances include scores of 224 and 227 against England and Zimbabwe, respectively. He also hit three consecutive centuries against three different countries.
- ODI Debut and Records : He debuted in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 1991. Kambli is known for being the first player to score an ODI century on his birthday (100 against England in 1993) and also scored 106 against Zimbabwe in the 1996 World Cup.
- Early Retirement : Despite a promising start, Kambli played his last Test at 23 and his last ODI at 28. He retired from first-class cricket in 2011.
Coaching and Media Career
- Coaching Ventures : After retiring, Kambli founded the Khel Bharti Sports Academy in 2009 and has since been involved in coaching roles, including head coach at MCA Academy and Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy (TMGA).
- Media Appearances : Kambli has worked as a cricket commentator and expert, including for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He has also appeared on various reality TV shows and acted in Bollywood films.
Personal Life
- First Marriage : Kambli was first married to Noella Lewis, a Catholic, and later divorced.
- Second Marriage : He married fashion model Andrea Hewitt, and the couple has a son, Jesus Christiano Kambli. After this marriage, Kambli converted to Catholicism.
- Health Issues : In 2013, Kambli suffered a heart attack and underwent angioplasty. Concerns about his health resurfaced in August 2024 with a video showing him struggling with mobility.
Political and Social Involvement
- Political Career : Kambli joined the Bhakti Shakti Party and was vice-president. He contested the 2009 Maharashtra Assembly elections from Vikhroli but did not win.
- Social Work : He has been active in social causes, supporting Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement in 2011.
Film and Television Appearances
- Film Roles : Kambli has acted in films like Annarth (2002), Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas (2009), and Bettanagere (2015).
- Television : He appeared in TV shows such as Bigg Boss (2009) and Main Banoongi Miss India (2004).
Legacy
- Biographical Work : Journalist Kunal Purandare authored a biography titled *Vinod Kambli: The Lost Hero, highlighting his career and personal journey.
- Cricketing Impact : Kambli remains remembered for his extraordinary early career performances and his flamboyant personality both on and off the field.
Kambli’s journey from a cricket prodigy to a versatile media personality and social activist underscores a multifaceted life, reflecting both his contributions to cricket and his varied pursuits beyond the sport.