Ajit Agarkar’s former colleague in the BCCI, who was also part of the selection committee, is currently suffering from severe depression and has been admitted to a rehabilitation centre. This is the second time in as many years that he has had to undergo rehabilitation.
Before this rehabilitation phase, a few decades ago, the former Indian cricketer had undergone rehabilitation due to alcohol addiction. However, it turns out that this time it is a case of depression, as the player had given up alcohol long ago and is no longer addicted to any kind of product.
key points
- Former Indian cricketer and former BCCI selector Salil Ankola is undergoing treatment for severe depression these days.
- Ankola has reportedly been admitted to a rehabilitation center near Pune.
- His wife Rhea Ankola revealed that he was struggling emotionally after losing his mother in October 2024.
Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola is undergoing rehabilitation due to depression
Former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former BCCI selector Salil Ankola is suffering from severe depression and has been admitted to a rehabilitation center near Pune.
“Yes, Salil was suffering from depression, and so a few weeks ago, he had admitted himself to a mental health care center near Pune. Salil was deeply distressed after losing his mother in October 2024, and was unable to process her demise.
So, recently, when he found himself breaking down and started falling ill frequently, he decided to get himself treated in a good place and a peaceful environment,” Salil’s wife Riya Ankola told TOI.
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“The cricket fraternity has been very kind and supportive” – Ankola’s wife thanks the cricket fraternity for their support
The former cricketer’s wife Rhea Ankola has also revealed that he is on the road to recovery and is on the way to overcome his current bad phase.
“We, as a family, are very happy that he has chosen to take a break rather than a complete breakdown. He is recovering very well, is working out regularly, and will be back to his first love in no time, which was, is and always will be cricket, because he has always been a fighter and always comes out stronger than before. We, his family and his friends, are always there to support him,” Rhea said.
He thanked the cricket fraternity and the BCCI for the support extended towards the former cricketer, saying, “The cricket fraternity has been very supportive of him in his decision to take a short break from work to recover himself.”
Salil Ankola’s early career and his turn to acting after retirement
Salil Ankola played his only Test match for India against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and made his debut with this great player. Sachin Tendulkar From India and Waqar Younis from Pakistan. He also took two wickets in the match.
Then, after playing 20 ODI matches in his career, he had 13 wickets to his name. Playing domestically for Mumbai, he appeared in 54 first-class matches, taking 181 wickets; However, he retired from cricket in 1997 at the age of 28.
This was a forced retirement due to a chin tumor, and after recovery, he became an actor and appeared in several TV serials and films. The 58-year-old has also been doing commentary for the past few years, while he has also served as a national selector with the BCCI between January 2023 and August 2024. Before joining BCCI, he also served as the chief selector of Mumbai between 2021 and 2023.
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