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 rehab center. This is the second time in all these years that he has had to undergo rehabilitation.
Before this rehabilitation phase, some decades back, the former Indian cricketer had already undergone rehab due to alcoholism. However, it is learned that this time it is a case of depression, as the player quit alcohol long ago and is no longer addicted to any kind of product.
Key Points
- Former India cricketer and ex-BCCI selector Salil Ankola is currently undergoing treatment for severe depression.
- Ankola has reportedly been admitted to a rehabilitation centre near Pune.
- His wife, Ria Ankola, revealed he struggled emotionally after losing his mother in October 2024.
Salil Ankola, the former BCCI selector, is undergoing rehabilitation for depression
Former Indian and Mumbai fast bowler and former BCCI selector Salil Ankola has been suffering from severe depression and has been admitted to a rehab centre near Pune.
"Yes, Salil was suffering from depression, and hence a couple of weeks ago, he got himself admitted to a mental health care centre near Pune. Salil was very upset ever since he lost his mother in Oct 2024, and was unable to process her passing away.
So, recently, when he saw himself breaking down and was falling sick very often, he chose to get himself treated in a good place and in a peaceful environment," Salil's wife Ria Ankola told TOI.
“The cricket fraternity has been very kind to support him" - Ankola's wife thanks the cricket fraternity for extending support
The former cricketer's wife, Ria Ankola, has also informed that he is on the path of recovery and is well on track for recovery from his current low phase.
"We, as a family, are very happy that he has chosen to take a break instead of completely breaking down. He is recovering very well, working out regularly, and will be back in no time to his first love, which was, is and will always 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,” Ria said.
"The cricket fraternity has been very kind to support him in his decision of taking a small break from work to heal himself," she added while having thanked the cricket fraternity and the BCCI for the support extended towards the former cricketer.
Salil Ankola's early career and switch to acting post-retirement
Salil Ankola played a solitary Test match for India against Pakistan back in 1989 in Karachi and had made his debut alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar from India and Waqar Younis from Pakistan. He had also picked up two wickets in the game.
Then, having played 20 ODI matches in his career, he had 13 scalps to his name. While featuring domestically for Mumbai, he has featured in 54 First-Class matches in which he picked 181 scalps; however, he retired from cricket at the age of 28 in 1997.
This was a forced retirement due to a chin tumor, and after recovery, he went on to become an actor and appeared in several TV serials and films. The 58-year-old has also been commentating over the last few years, while having served as a national selector with the BCCI between January 2023 and August 2024. Before turning to BCCI, he also served as Mumbai's chief selector between 2021 and 2023.
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