MUMBAI: Former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former national selector Salil Ankola is suffering from severe depression and has been admitted to a rehabilitation center near Pune, TOI has learnt.“Yes, Salil was suffering from depression and that’s why he got himself admitted to a mental health care center near Pune a few weeks ago. Salil was very upset since he lost his mother in October 2024 and was unable to cope with her death. So recently, when he saw her breaking down and getting sick very often, he decided to get treatment in a good place and in the peaceful environment of Salil’s wife TO.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!She informed that Ankola is on the way to recovery from her low phase. “As a family, we are very happy that he has decided to take a break instead of breaking down completely. He is recovering very well, he is exercising regularly and in no time he will be back to his first love which was, is and always will be cricket because he has always been a fighter and he has always been stronger than before. We, his family and friends are always there to support him,” said Ria.
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Debut in India: Calls are getting louder“The cricket fraternity has been very kind to support him in his decision to take a little time off work to recuperate,” she added.Almost a couple of decades ago, Ankola underwent rehab for alcohol addiction, but this time it was found to be a case of depression as he had quit drinking long ago. Ankola was appointed as the national selector on 7 January 2023 and served until August 2024. He was also the chief selector at Mumbai from 2021-23.The 58-year-old has been commentating in domestic cricket and the IPL for the past few years.Ankola played a solitary Test for India against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and was the other debutant in the match alongside legends Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. He scored two goals in this match. He also played 20 ODIs and took 13 wickets. A key pacer for Mumbai in the 1990s, Ankola appeared in 54 first-class matches, taking 181 wickets with best figures of 6-47. The Mumbaikar retired at just 28 in 1997 due to a tumor on his chin that prevented him from continuing his cricket career.He subsequently became an actor and appeared in several television series and films.
