Mumbai: Former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former national selector Salil Ankola TOI has learned that he is suffering from severe depression and has been admitted to a rehabilitation center near Pune.“Yes, Salil was suffering from depression and so a few weeks ago, he admitted himself to a mental health care center near Pune. Since losing his mother in October 2024, Salil has been distraught, unable to process her passing. So, recently, when he found himself breaking down and often falling sick, he chose to get his treatment in a good place and peaceful environment,” Salil’s wife Rhea Ankula told TOI.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Ankula is on the road to recovery from its low phase, he said. “We, as a family, are very happy that he has chosen to take a break instead of breaking up completely. He is recovering very well, exercising regularly and will soon return to his first love, which was, is and always will be cricket, as he has always been a fighter and always comes back stronger than before. We, his family and his friends are always there to support him,” Rhea said.
“The cricket community has been very kind to support him in his decision to take a short break from work to recuperate,” he added.Almost two decades ago, Ankola underwent rehab for alcohol addiction, but it is learned that this time, it is a case of depression as he quit drinking long ago. Ankula was appointed as the national selector on 7 January 2023 and held the position until August 2024. He was also the Chief Selector of Mumbai from 2021-23.The 58-year-old has been doing commentary in domestic cricket. IPL for the past few years.Ankula played the only Test for India against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, and was the second debutant in the match apart from the legends. Sachin Tendulkar And Waqar Younis. He took two wickets in this match. He also played 20 ODIs in which he took 13 wickets. A key fast bowler for Mumbai in the 90s, Ankula featured in 54 first-class matches in which he took 181 wickets, with best figures of 6-47. The Mumbaikar retired in 1997 aged just 28 due to a tumor in his chin, which prevented him from continuing his cricket career.After that, he became an actor, and appeared in several TV series and films.
