Former India fast bowler Salil Ankola, who had served as national selector, is battling depression and checked into a mental health care centre near Pune.
"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, " Salil's wife Ria Ankola told TOI.
Salil's wife also informed that the 58-year-old is already on the path to recovery and has resumed working out. She also thanked the cricket fraternity for their support.
"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,” Ria said.
“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.
Two decades ago, Ankola had alcohol addiction and underwent rehabilitation. The report further states that alcohol has not played a part in pacer suffering from depression as he quit drinking a long time ago.
Ankola had served as national selector for nearly 20 months from January 7, 2023 to August 2024. Before that, he served as Mumbai's chief selector from 2021 to 2023.
Ankola’s Test debut alongside Tendulkar and career numbers
In 1989, Ankola made his Test debut against Pakistan alongside teenager Sachin Tendulkar. He took one wicket each in both innings of Karachi Test and never played another Test. A few weeks later, he made his ODI debut against Pakistan at Gujranwala. He played 20 ODIs in his career, taking 13 wickets at an average of 47.30. In domestic cricket, he had 181 and 70 wickets from 54 first-class games and 75 List A games respectively.