BCCI to release Rs 1 crore for Anshuman Gaekwad after appeals from legends to help his cancer treatment

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has directed the board to release a sum of ₹1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to former India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad for his cancer treatment.

Gaekwad, 71, has been undergoing treatment for blood cancer for the past year at King's College Hospital in London. Shah's decision came after several appeals from former Indian teammates of Gaekwad.

"BCCI Secretary Jay Shah instructed BCCI to release Rs 1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India’s veteran cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling cancer," BCCI's Apex Council said in a media release (via Telegraph India). "Shah also spoke to Gaekwad's family and took stock of the situation and provided assistance."

"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, 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev revealed that Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, and Kirti Azad had been contributing from their pensions to help Gaekwad.

"He took blows on his face and chest" - Kapil Dev in his plea to BCCI for Anshuman Gaekwad

A right-handed opening batter for India, Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs. He was known for his courage against fast bowlers in an era without helmets and limited protection for the batters.

"It is a sad and very depressing," Kapil told Sportstar recently. "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. 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.

Kapil also rued a lack of systematic solutions and advised the board to form a trust to help former cricketers in such scenarios.

“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 said.

"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," he concluded.