Salil Ankola, who made India debut with Tendulkar, battling depression
The 58-year-old Salil, who played one Test and 20 ODIs for India between 1989 and 1997, has been upset since 2024 after his mother passed away, his wife Ria Ankola said
Former India fast bowler Salil Ankols is suffering from depression and has been admitted to a mental health care centre, his wife said, according to a media report on Thursday (May 7).
The 58-year-old Salil, who played one Test and 20 ODIs for India between 1989 and 1997, has been upset since 2024 after his mother passed away, his wife Ria Ankola told The Times of India.
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Salil and Sachin Tendulkar made their Test and ODI debuts together against Pakistan in Karachi and Gujranwala, respectively, in 1989.
After retirement from cricket, Salil served as a BCCI selector, and he was part of the Star Sports Marathi commentary team for the ongoing IPL 2026.
What Salil's wife said
"Yes, Salil was suffering from depression and hence a couple of weeks ago, he got himself admitted to a mental health care centre near Pune. Salil was very upset ever since he lost his mother in October 2024, and was unable to process her passing away. So, recently, when he saw himself breaking down and was falling sick very often, he chose to get himself treated in a good place and in a peaceful environment," Ria told the newspaper.
She added that he is recovering very well. "We, as a family, are very happy that he has chosen to take a break instead of completely breaking down. He is recovering very well, working out regularly and will be back in no time to his first love, which was, is and will always be cricket, because he has always been a fighter and always comes out stronger than before. We, his family and his friends are always there to support him."
"The cricket fraternity has been very kind to support him in his decision of taking a small break from work to heal himself," she added.
In October 2024, Salil’s mother Mala Ankola, 77, was found dead with her throat slit in her daughter’s apartment in Pune. At the time, she was alone in the house.
Earlier, Salil had undergone rehabilitation due to alcohol addiction, and later quit drinking, the newspaper report said.