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Vinod Kambli (Cricketer) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth18 January 1972

Age53 Years

BirthplaceBombay (Now, Mumbai), Maharashtra, India

ProfessionFormer Cricketer, Actor

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAndrea Hewitt

FamilyParents: Ganpat Kambli and Vijaya Kambli; Children: Son - Jesus Christiano Kambli, Daughter - Johanna Christiano

Vinod Kambli (Cricketer) Biography

Vinod Ganpat Kambli is a former Indian cricketer from Mumbai who rose rapidly in the early 1990s with prolific batting and a string of notable records. A左f

Early life and background

Vinod Ganpat Kambli was born on 18 January 1972 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra. He grew up in a large joint family in a chawl in Mumbai and attended Our Lady of Dolours, Marine Lines, before moving to Shardashram Vidyamandir in Dadar on the advice of his coach. He trained under Ramakant Achrekar alongside childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar, travelling by local trains to practice at Shivaji Park. Kambli completed formal schooling to the 10th standard and later converted to Christianity; he was baptized at St Peter’s Church in Bandra.

Career

Kambli made his domestic debut for Mumbai in 1989 and began his Ranji Trophy career memorably by hitting a six off the first ball he faced. His international career began in 1991 when he was selected for India. He debuted in One Day Internationals on 18 October 1991 against Pakistan in Sharjah and made his Test debut on 29 January 1992 against England in Kolkata.

Early on he posted outstanding figures for a young player: a schoolboy partnership of 664 runs with Sachin Tendulkar is among the best-known feats from his youth, and he scored an unbeaten 349 in that innings. In his international career he recorded back-to-back centuries at the outset, finished with a highest Test score of 227 against Zimbabwe, and was at one time the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 Test runs. He was also among the few players to score an ODI hundred on his birthday, achieving 100 against England in 1993, and he scored 106 against Zimbabwe in the 1996 World Cup. Statistically he held the distinction of a very high Test batting average for an Indian with 20 or more innings.

Kambli played his last Test at age 24 in 1995 and appeared in his final ODI on 29 October 2000 against Sri Lanka. He represented Mumbai domestically for many years and has also been reported to have played in South African domestic cricket for Boland. He announced retirement from international cricket in 2009 and retired from first-class cricket in 2011.

Work beyond cricket

After his playing career Kambli pursued several opportunities in entertainment and public life. He acted in films, appearing in Annarth (2002), Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath (2009) and a Kannada film, Bettanagere (2015). On television he featured in the series Miss India (2004) and took part in reality television, including Sach Ka Saamna and Bigg Boss season 3. In 2009 he launched the Khel Bharti Sports Academy in Mumbai. He has also been involved in politics, joining the Lok Bharati Party in 2009, serving as a vice-president of the party, and contesting the 2009 assembly election from Vikhroli.

Public profile

Kambli’s public life has combined sporting achievement with episodes that received media attention. He has been vocal about personal and professional grievances and has appeared publicly with teammates and contemporaries from his playing days. He backed the India Against Corruption campaign in 2011 and in the same year a biography titled Vinod Kambli: The Lost Hero was published.

Personal life

Kambli is married and has two children, a son and a daughter. He converted to Christianity in 2010. His parents are Ganpat and Vijaya Kambli, and he has several siblings. He is a non-vegetarian and has named favorite cricketers and foods in public profiles. As a retired first-class cricketer he receives a pension from the BCCI.

Health and recent circumstances

Kambli has faced health challenges in recent years. He suffered a heart attack in November 2013. Reports indicate that by August 2024 he was experiencing difficulty walking, and in December 2024 he was hospitalized in Thane with blood clots related to diabetes and hypertension. In January 2025 there were reports concerning his financial and living circumstances, including unpaid maintenance for his residence and an unresolved phone repair bill.

Latest updates

As of early 2025, Kambli remains a recognizable figure in Indian cricket history for his early feats and dramatic rise, while also navigating health and personal challenges that have kept him in the public eye.
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Recent Work

Bettanagere

Acted in a Kannada film

2015
Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath

Appeared in a Bollywood film

2009
Annarth

Acted in a Bollywood film

2002
Miss India

Featured in TV series

2004
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Career Highlights

  1. Part of a 664-run school partnership alongside Sachin Tendulkar, scoring an unbeaten 349 in that innings
  2. Made early back-to-back centuries for India and recorded a highest Test score of 227 against Zimbabwe
  3. At one point was the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 Test runs and held a notably high Test batting average for an Indian with 20+ innings
  4. Scored an ODI century on his birthday (100 vs England, 1993) and scored 106 in the 1996 World Cup
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Vinod Kambli (Cricketer) born?

18 January 1972

What is Vinod Kambli (Cricketer) known for?

Former Cricketer, Actor

What is Vinod Kambli (Cricketer)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Vinod Kambli (Cricketer) married to?

Andrea Hewitt