Actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s unfortunate demise has stirred a debate about the mental health issues that are prevalent not only in the film industry but also in the sporting world. Numerous people have alleged Sushant’s mental health deterioration to the ubiquitous nepotism in the industry. The question however persists, what wears out the mental health of Indian cricketers?
Talking to The Daily Guardian, the former fast bowler Salil Ankola said that it is difficult to express what is going on inside a mind, especially when there is a lot of stress. Salil told how he went into depression after being diagnosed with a rare bone tumor (Osteoid Osteoma) in his left shin. The ailment, making the bowler incapable to run, led to his premature retirement and subsequent depression.
In 2008 the news of Salil Ankola suffering from depression and getting enrolled in a rehabilitation centre in Pune made rounds about the news. The reason behind the illness was believed to be his alleged addiction to alcohol.
“You need someone by your side who can understand you,” Salil said while talking about the depression and the excruciating recovery. After getting married to his second wife Ria, who was a doctor, things started to fall in place for Salil. “She helped me a lot, and slowly I came back to my normal track, however, I must emphasise, this disease is like a slow poison where you don›t know which way you are going.”
India’s former bowler Chetan Sharma, who is famous for getting a first World Cup hat-trick for India, too had to go through a severe depressive marsh. His mental health was severely affected after the infamous incident at Sharjah, when Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad hit a six on the last ball of the innings, costing India a trophy. Chetan Sharma was not treated well by people; the loss against Pakistan was blamed on him. For a time being, his public life remained in shambles, as wherever he went, he received severe reproach.
However, things started changing for him when his coach Desh Prem Azad helped him to get rid of his depression. “Nobody was allowed to meet me in the nets, my practice sessions were secluded,” recalled Chetan.
After recovering, he rejoined the team and made a historic comeback by scalping a hat-trick in a 1987 World Cup match against New Zealand. “If you are depressed, try to do the work you love the most, and be around the people who are likeminded, empathetic, and understand you the most,” Chetan said.
In India, many cricketers like Maninder Singh, Vinod Kambli and Sadanand Vishwanath have suffered from depression and recovered.
Marcus Trescothick, the English cricketer who had announced his retirement in 2006, faced the mental health issue at his peak of the career. The English batting wizard Jonathan Trott is another cricketer who was mired up in mental distress during the peak of his career. Andrew Flintoff also belongs to the list.
Glenn Maxwell, the Australian batting-all-rounder, has decided to take an indefinite break from cricket to deal with his mental health issues.
