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What Led To Downfall Of Vinod Kambli, Allegedly More Talented Player Than Tendulkar?

Why Kambli couldn't become Tendulkar [Source: @amittalwalkar/X.Com] Why Kambli couldn't become Tendulkar [Source: @amittalwalkar/X.Com]

In 2024, Vinod Kambli is known for his tragic life and the struggles he is going through at the moment. However, in the early 90s, he was a promising yoUng talent who had the world at his feet, and was touted to become the best in the business.

But what went wrong with him?. Kambli had everything that was needed to become the best cricketer in the world, in-fact, he had more talent and skills than his childhood best friend, Sachin Tendulkar.

However, glits, glamour and whole lot of other things ruined Kambli's life. While Tendulkar became the 'God of cricket', Kambli became 'just another cricketer', who had played for India.

The early days of Kambli and Sachin

In 1988, two young stars, Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli made headlines as the duo shared a record 664-run partnership in a school match against St. Xaviers School, which at the time was a school record.

The match was a part of the Harris Shield Tournament and interestingly, their coach, Ramakant Achrekar forced Kambli to declare the innings. The partnership brought the duo in limelight and the two were destined for greatness.

Ironically, their childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar touted Kambli to attained greatness and even hailed him slightly better than Tendulkar at that young age. While Tendulkar made his India debut 1989, it took Kambli 4 more years, but he, too, played for India for the first time in 1993.

The early burst of Kambli's career

Kambli couldn't have asked for a dream Test career as in his first seven Tests, the elegant left-handed batter slammed two double centuries and garnered attention from the cricketing world. His footwork was dazzling against the spinners and the world took notice of him when he smacked the great Shane Warne for 22 runs in a single over.

However, his persistent problems against the short-ball worked against him. He couldn't handle sheer pace and bounce and it led to his demise in international cricket, as he last played a Test match in 1995, just two years into his debut.

Sachin had an opposite international journey

Unlike Kambli, Tendulkar had a rocky start to his career as he made his debut against the hostile Pakistan attack. However, what made him different from Kambli was his sheer determination to learn from his mistakes and work on them.

His first hundred came in Manchester in a match-saving cause. His second and third came in SCG and the fastest surface at that time - the WACA, Perth. Unlike Kambli, when Tendulkar came into the side, he worked on his game after each innings and it made him a better player.

Though Kambli averaged 54 when he retired from Tests, majority of the runs were scored in the first 7 Tests before the bowlers found their ways to work upon his weakness. Now, unlike Kambli, Tendulkar's career spanned 24-years and for this period of time, he stayed relevant and never lost his focus.

What led to Kambli's downfall?

Parties, ignoring cricket, and arrogance - there's the answer

In 1993, Kambli was destined for greatness and was on the path to become India's best in the future. However, once his dream start ended in Test cricket, the left-hander never worked on his game and made the life of opposition bowlers, a whole lot easier.

Plus, he was involved in other non-cricketing stuffs which ended his international career. I mean, who doesn't party?, but as a professional cricketer, one shouldn't lose their focus and work towards their objective of becoming the world's best.

His off-field distractions and lavish lifestyle overshadowed his cricketing career and there were also reports that he was involved in late night parties during the 1996 World Cup. Plus, he lacked the discipline and focus which is required to stay at the top of the game.

Kambli's alcohol addiction led to multiple stints in rehabilitation, which affected his health and well-being.

This is where Tendulkar was different

Right from Day 1 of his career, his objectives were crystal clear and by the time his career ended in 2013, the great batter had achieved everything. He became a family man, became the best batter in the world, and when the names of great cricketers pop up, Tendulkar's name always comes at the top.

Yes, Kambli was more talented than the Little Master, but he never had the perseverance and the hardwork which Tendulkar had to succeed.