In addition to the Rs 20.41 crore prize money, Team India also earned themselves a cash prize of Rs 125 crore from BCCI for winning the second T20 World Cup trophy on Saturday. After announcing this whopping reward for T20 World Cup heroes, 1983 World Cup Champion Sandeep Patil has urged the cricket body to similarly arrange funds for the treatment of ailing former India player and coach Anshuman Gaekwad.
Gaekwad, 71, has been battling blood cancer for the past one year. Patil said that he visited the 71-year-old at the King's College Hospital in London. He also shared that Gaekwad told him about his need for financial aid for his treatment.
"Anshu told me that he needs funds for his treatment. Soon, Dilip Vengsarkar and I 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. Ashish Shelar instantly said he would look into ours and other former cricketers' request for funds," Patil said in a column on Mid-Day.
"I'm sure he will facilitate this and, at the risk of sounding macabre, save Anshu's life. Any cricketer from any country should be helped by his board, but Anshu's case must be taken on priority and treated as paramount."
Notably, Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1974 and 1987. He was the head coach of Team India between 1997 and 1999 and then again in 2000.
Anshuman Gaekwad was the coach when Anil Kumble achieved the historic feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan.
During his second stint, India became runners-up to New Zealand in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now known as the Champions Trophy).
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