Kapil Dev urges BCCI to provide financial aid to ailing Anshuman Gaekwad

Gaekwad, 71, has been receiving care at King's College Hospital in London for the past year. Kapil revealed that several former teammates, including Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, and Kirti Azad, are making efforts to raise funds for Gaekwad's treatment.

Kapil exuded confidence that the BCCI will look into the matter and extend financial assistance to the former India head coach.

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

The legendary all-rounder, however, lamented the absence of a system to assist former players in situations like Anshuman's. Kapil also insisted that he is willing to forgo his pension if the situation does not improve.

"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. 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. We are ready to contribute by donating our pension amount if the family allows us to," he added.

Gaekwad's cricketing legacy is remarkable. He played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987 and later served as India's head coach in two separate stints.