In the glittering world of Indian cricket, few names evoke as much nostalgia as Salil Ankola. Debuting alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in the 1989 Karachi Test against Pakistan, this right-arm fast bowler burst onto the international scene with promise. Over his short career, he played one Test and 20 ODIs, even earning a spot in the 1996 World Cup squad. But injuries cut his journey short at just 28, forcing him to bid farewell to the sport that defined his early years.
Transitioning to acting, Ankola found new spotlights in television and films. He charmed audiences in popular shows like CID, Kahata Hai Dil, Kora Kagaz, and Shssh… Koi Hai. On the big screen, he portrayed a police officer in the 2000 Sanjay Dutt starrer Kurukshetra, alongside roles in Pitaah, Chura Liya Hai Tumne, and Silence Please… The Dressing Room. His reality TV stint on Salman Khan’s Big Boss in 2006 added to his eclectic resume.
Behind the confident on-screen persona lay a brutal personal battle. Post-retirement in 1997, emptiness crept in, leading to a 14-year spiral into alcoholism from 1999 to 2011. What began as casual drinking morphed into a life-threatening addiction. Ankola revealed in interviews how he’d drink around the clock if awake, shunning cricket matches that stirred painful memories. Family pleas and multiple rehab stints failed until a turning point in 2011.
Watching the World Cup from rehab ignited hope. Realizing alcohol was a disease, not a hobby, he fought back with family support and sheer willpower. By 2014, he’d survived 12 ICU admissions and three clinical deaths. Today, fully recovered, Ankola serves Mumbai cricket, having been chief selector and India’s national selector from January 2023 to August 2024. His story is a testament to resilience, proving second acts can shine brighter.