Former India pacer Salil Ankola overcomes severe depression, eager to ‘get back to work’ now Cricket News

Mumbai: Exciting development for former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former national selector Salil Ancora He has overcome severe depression and has been undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation center near Pune for the past one-and-a-half months and is now eager to get back to work.“I would love to get back to work again. I am really open to any cricket assignment coaching or anything related to the sport. I am going out now. I have a few meetings to do. I am starting some coaching work here (Trinity College, Pune). I will be discharged (from the rehab center) in 10 to 15 days. I have been living with Ria (his wife). It is great to be back in the game again. I am feeling much better now because I worked out in a good gym (rehabilitation center) there and I have lost about 10 kgs. I was definitely fighting. Most importantly, my mentality is also good,” Ankola told TOI in Pune on Tuesday.Talking about his tough period, Ankola said, “(Entering rehab for severe clinical depression) was one of the best decisions I made. I needed time to myself. I was not feeling good and that was the most important thing. I talked to my wife about it and she suggested that I should (go to rehab for treatment). I had to do it during the IPL commentary period. In such a situation, you have to drop everything and (go through treatment).”Salil’s wife Ria Ankola said, “Salil’s condition is much better. I met him in Pune yesterday. The doctors are very happy with his progress. He can resume work now. They said he will be discharged from the hospital and return home soon. I must thank all his friends and well-wishers for always being by his side and supporting us and helping us all the time.”“Overall, he has battled depression well and has been declared fit for work and has taken up new cricket assignments immediately. He has started coaching assignments in Pune starting today. Currently, as the assignment will be in Pune and he is already in Pune, he will stay here till the completion of the assignment. Salil is very happy and excited to start working again and is looking forward to taking up more coaching assignments in India and abroad,” she added.On May 6, 2026, the Times of India first reported that Ankola suffered from severe depression and was sent to a rehabilitation center near Pune.Ankola was appointed as a national elector on January 7, 2023, and will serve until August 2024. He is also the chief elector of Mumbai from 2021-23.The 58-year-old has been working as a commentator in domestic cricket and IPL for the past few years.Ankola played for India in a lone Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and was the only other player to make his debut in the tournament besides the legends Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. He took two wickets in that match. He also played 20 ODIs and took 13 wickets. Ankola was a key player for Mumbai in the 1990s, playing 54 first-class matches and taking 181 wickets with a best record of 6-47.