Kambli was born on January 18, 1972 in Bombay (now Mumbai). He grew up as a talented cricketer and became friends with Sachin during their school days, where they established a formidable partnership.
Kambli gained attention when he shared an unbroken partnership of 664 runs with Sachin in a school match, contributing an impressive 349 runs. This achievement set the stage for his cricket career.
He made his One Day International debut against Pakistan in October 1991 during Wills Sharjah Trophy. Kambli quickly showcased his talent, scoring a century on his birthday in an ODI against England.
Kambli’s Test debut came in January 1993 against England, where he made immediate impact with two double centuries and two additional centuries in just 7 Test matches. His highest Test score was 224.
Despite a good start, Kambli struggled with consistency and faced disciplinary issues. His performance declined, leading to his exclusion from the Indian team. He played his last Test at the age of 24
Throughout his ODI career, Kambli played 104 matches and scored 2477 runs at an average of 32.59, including two centuries. He remained a notable figure until his last ODI appearance in 2000.
Kambli's life has been marked by personal challenges. He faced severe criticism during moments of public distress, such as accusations of domestic violence and allegations related to drunk driving.
In recent years, Kambli has struggled with health concerns. He suffered a heart attack in 2013, underwent angioplasty for blocked arteries, and has been seen in a disoriented state in viral videos.
Despite their longstanding friendship, Kambli’s comments about Sachin stirred controversy, particularly a claim regarding lack of support during his career. The two have reportedly reconciled.
Kambli is remembered as a cricketer with immense potential who had a significant impact on Indian cricket. His early promise and friendship with Tendulkar is inspiring future generations of cricketers