Jay Shah directs BCCI to release Rs 1 crore immediately for cancer treatment of Anshuman Gaekwad

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BCCI secretary Jay Shah has instructed the board to release Rs 1 crore immediately to provide financial assistance for former India cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling blood cancer.

According to BCCI Apex Council sources, Shah has also spoken to Gaekwad’s family to take stock of the situation and extend support. Gaekwad has been admitted to a hospital in Vadodara and was earlier undergoing treatment at the King’s College Hospital in London.

“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 BCCI Apex Council stated.

71-year-old Anshuman Gaekwad, represented India in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs, between 1974 to 1987. His teammates and players of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team have recently been vocal in requesting the BCCI to step in and help Gaekwad with his cancer treatment.

“The BCCI has walked the talk with this humungous cash reward. It’s unprecedented but not undeserving from the players point of view. A Board can have money power and yet not share the pie with its players. Here, BCCI is putting out the best spread for the people who have made their country so very proud," Sandeep Patil wrote in a column for Mid-Day shortly after the BCCI announced a cash prize of Rs 125 crore for Rohit Sharma-led Indian contingent which won the T20 World Cup 2024.

“I visited London in May for a function and happened to catch up with my former India and West Zone teammate Aunshuman Gaekwad. He was in hospital fighting blood cancer. Anshu told me that he needs funds for his treatment. Soon, Dilip Vengsarkar and me spoke to BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar. In fact, our calls were made to Ashish Shelar after seeing Anshu at King’s College Hospital in London,” he wrote further.

The WhatsApp group of India's 1983 World Cup-winning squad is abuzz from the last few months to find ways to generate funds for Anshuman Gaekwad. The likes of Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Sachin Tendulkar had requested BCCI secretary Jay Shah and treasurer Ashish Shelar to step forward and help the former India coach.

As per The Telegraph, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri and Kirti Azad have been trying to generate support from corporate honchos and friends