Former India and Baroda cricketer Jacob Martin was supposed to be discharged from the hospital on Monday (February 4) as his recovery process was on track. However, sudden complications arose at the last moment and hospital authorities advised him to stay there for another week.

Martin, who met a severe accident in Baroda that caused various injuries to his liver and lungs, was shifted to general ward from the ICU last week after being on a ventilator for nearly a month.

“My daughters and I were happy that he would be home on Monday but this morning I was told he has developed more complications. He has been put on oxygen,” Martin’s wife Khyati was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror.

Khyati has been anxiously making calls to plead for funds as the hospital expenses have crossed the amount Martin incurred as assistance thus far.

“There have been odd inquiries, there were even calls from UK and US. Jacob had played in a London league and we were happy that there would be some aid coming my way. But not much help actually,” Khyati said.

“I am not blaming anyone, I am pleading with people of this country to make a generous contribution. The hospital bill has overshot the total donation and after yesterday’s deterioration, I will need much more,” she added.

Apparently, IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings has contributed Rs 3 lakh to Martin, who has represented India in 10 ODIs and guided Baroda to Ranji Trophy victory in the 2000-01 season.

“Yes, CSK made an immediate contribution, I hope there will be some generous contribution from the corporate houses and cricket fans of commercial captain Mumbai,” Sanjay Patel, the former BCCI secretary said.

The hospital bill currently stands at Rs 29 lakh and has been rising gradually with every passing day.

“I brought them to the hospital so that they could see their father before anything happened. I was told that the chances of survival are not much last month,” Khyati said.

“I don’t know how serious the situation is now, I am told it will require another week in hospital because of the fluctuation in the Acute Respiratory Distress System (ARDS) reading and we need some more money for treatment and medicine,” she further asserted.