Former India pacer Salil Ankola overcomes severe depression, wants to ‘get on with work’ now |: Cricket News:

Mumbai: In an encouraging development, the former India and Mumbai fast bowler and ex-national selector Salil Ankola overcame severe depression, for which he has been undergoing treatment at a rehab center near Pune for the past month and a half, and is eager to return to work now.“I want to resume work again. I am really open to any cricketing-coaching assignment or anything related to sports. I am going out today. I have two meetings. I have started a teaching job here (at Trinity Academy in Pune). I will be discharged (from the rehab center) in 10-15 days. game again. I feel good now. I have lost about 10 kg, while I am exercising a good that gym there (at the rehab center). I am absolutely fighting fit. Most importantly, I am also in a good frame of mind,” Ankola told TOI from Pune on Tuesday.Talking about his difficult time, Ankola said, “(Admitting to a rehab center for severe clinical depression) was one of the best decisions I made. I needed that time for myself. I didn’t feel well, which is the most important thing. I told this to my wife, who suggested that I should (check into a rehab center for treatment). (undergo treatment).Salil’s wife Ria Ankola said, “Salil is doing better. I met him yesterday in Pune. The doctors are very happy with his progress. He is fit to resume work now. They say he will be discharged and go home soon.“Basically the whole thing is that he has fought depression very nicely and has been declared fit to work and take up new cricket assignments with instant effect. He has started coaching assignments in Pune from today. Currently, because the assignment is in Pune, and he is already in Pune, he will stay here until he completes his assignments. added.On May 6 2026, TOI first reported that Ankola was suffering from severe depression and was admitted to a rehab center near Pune.Ankola was appointed as the national selector on January 7, 2023, and will be in office until August 2024. He was also the chief selector of Mumbai from 2021-23.The 58-year-old has been commentating on domestic cricket and the IPL for the past few years.Ankola played a solitary Test for India against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, and was the only other debutant in the game apart from legends Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. He took two wickets in that match. He also played 20 ODIs, taking 13 wickets. A key pacer for Mumbai in the 90s, Ankola featured in 54 first-class matches in which he took 181 wickets, with best figures of 6-47.