Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has expressed deep sadness over his former India teammate Anshuman Gaekwad’s illness.

Gaekwad is battling cancer and Kapil has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to lend financial support to the former India opener.

Speaking to Sportstar, Kapil revealed that he, along with several other stalwarts of Indian cricket such as Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri and Kirti Azad are trying their best to generate funds for Gaikwad, who also served the Indian cricket team as head coach in the 1990s.

"It is a sad and very depressing. I am in pain because I have played alongside Anshu and can't bear to see him in this state. No one should suffer. I know the Board will take care of him," Kapil said.

"We are not compelling anyone. Any help for Anshu will have to come from your heart. He took blows on his face and chest when standing up to some of the ferocious fast bowlers. Now is the time for us to stand up for him. I am sure our cricket fans will not fail him. They should pray for his recovery," he added.

A number of former Indian cricketers find themselves in a financial crunch, and Kapil rued the lack of a system where greats of the past are assisted in their time of need.

"Unfortunately, we don't have a system. It is great to see this generation of players make good money. It is good to see the support staff members also being paid well. In our time, the Board did not have the money. Today, it has and should take care of the senior players from the past," Kapil stated.

"But where do they send their contributions? If a Trust is formed, they can put their money there. But we don't have a system. There should be a Trust. I think BCCI can do that. They do look after the players, former and present. We are ready to contribute by donating our pension amount if the family allows us to," he further remarked.

Earlier this month, former India selector Sandeep Patil revealed that he had spoken to BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar regarding Gaekwad's illness and the board official committed himself to look into this matter.

Anshuman Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1974 and 1987. Under his coaching, India won the famous Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah in 1998 and reached the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000.