Vinod Kambli

Vinod Kambli first came into limelight in February 1988, with a world record 664-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar during the semi-final of the Harris Shield tournament, an inter-school competition, playing for Shardashram Vidyamandir School against St. Xavier's High School. The duo were stopped by their coach Ramakant Achrekar, who forced them to declare the innings. He made his first-class debut during the 1989-90 season, playing for Mumbai.

His stroke-play impressed the national selectors and he made his ODI debut in 1991, against Pakistan at Sharjah. He was also part of the 1992 World Cup side. Kambli hit a gritty hundred, his first in ODIs, against England in 1993, but India lost the game off the last ball. He was in good touch in 1993 and 1994, registering 10 scores of 50 or more. He played a crucial knock against Zimbabwe in the 1996 World Cup, to bail India out of trouble after they were reduced to three down for next to nothing. He went on to score an aggressive hundred, his second and last in ODIs, and helped India post a good total. Eventually, the bowlers were able to restrict Zimbabwe and save India from the blushes. However, he was dropped from the side after the World Cup and since then, he could never cement his place. His form dipped soon after and he managed to score only one 50+ score in his last 22 ODIs, before being dropped for one last time in 2000.

Kambli made his Test debut in 1993 against England, against whom he hit his maiden double-hundred, in just his second Test match. He followed it up with another double-hundred against Zimbabwe in the next match, before scoring a hundred against Sri Lanka to make history by becoming the only cricket to score 100+ in three innings against three different opponents. Although he had a bright start to his Test career, Kambli considered for Tests after 1995, meaning he had only 17 Tests against his name.

Kambli continued to play in the domestic circuit and in 2002, followed the footsteps of Pravin Amre by joining South African domestic side, Boland. Eventually, he announced in his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2011. The same year, Kambli controversially revealed on national television that he doubted the way in which India played the 1996 World Cup semi-final. He alleged that it was decided in the team meeting that India would bat if they won the toss, but captain Mohammad Azharuddin chose to field. However, Kambi's allegations were rubbished by Azharuddin himself, team manager Ajit Wadekar and a few cricketers.

Kambli joined politics and contested in the 2009 Vidhan Sabha Elections, but lost it. he also supported Anna Hazare's campaign, India against Corruption. Kambli has also acted in two Hindi films, Annarth and Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat. He has also appeared in a few reality shows.