BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Secretary Jay Shah has announced an INR 1 crore relief package for former India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad, who is suffering from blood cancer.
"Mr. Jay Shah has instructed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release Rs 1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India's veteran cricketer Mr Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer," BCCI apex council said in a statement as per PTI.
Notably, former Indian cricketer Sandeep Patil revealed Gaekwad's health earlier this year. Patil said that the former batter has been battling for his life for more than a year and is receiving treatment in London.
The 67-year-old further stated that Gaekwad notified him personally about the need for financial assistance. Former India batter Dilip Vengsarkar had also personally spoken with BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar, who agreed to look into the issue.
"Shah has also spoken to Mr Gaekwad's family to take stock of the situation and extend support. The board stands by Gaekwad's family in this hour of crisis and will do whatever is essential for Mr Gaekwad's quick recovery. The BCCI will continue to monitor Mr Gaekwad's progress and is confident that he will come out of this phase strongly," the statement further read.
Recently, even India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev had 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 Gaekwad.
In a media release, the BCCI informed the family that it would provide all possible aid and expressed confidence that Gaekwad would emerge victorious from this phase. The BCCI will constantly follow Anshuman Gaekwad's treatment and remains optimistic that the experienced player will recover from the dangerous disease. The move came after Kapil Dev requested support for the 71-year-old batsman.
Anshuman Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987 and later served as India's head coach in two separate stints.
(PTI inputs)
