Salil Ankola Recovers from Severe Depression, Eyes Return to Cricket

Salil Ankola

Mumbai: In a heartening development, former India and Mumbai fast bowler and ex-national selector Salil Ankola has overcome severe depression, for which he had been undergoing treatment at a rehab centre near Pune for the past month-and-a-half, and is keen to resume work now.

"I'd love to resume work again. I'm really open to any cricketing assignment-coaching or anything related to the sport. I'm going out now. I've got a couple of meetings. I'm starting some coaching work here (in Trinity Academy in Pune). I'll be discharged (from the rehab centre) in 10-15 days. I've been staying with Ria (his wife). It's good to be back in the game again. I'm feeling great now. I've become much fitter now- I've lost about 10 kgs, as I was working out in a good gym there (in the rehab centre). I'm absolutely fighting fit. Most importantly, I am in a good frame of mind as well," Ankola told TOI from Pune on Tuesday.

Talking about his tough period, Ankola said, "(Getting admitted to the rehab centre for severe clinical depression) was one of the best decisions I took. I needed that time for myself. I wasn't feeling good, which is the most important thing. I spoke about it with my wife, who suggested that I should (check into a rehab centre for treatment). I had to do this in the middle of my IPL commentary stint. In these kinds of things, you've to leave everything and (undergo treatment).

Salil's wife Ria Ankola said, "Salil is doing much better. I met him yesterday in Pune. The doctors are very happy with his progress. He is fit to resume work now. They are saying that he will be discharged and be back home very soon. I must thank all his friends and well-wishers for being there for him and being so supportive and helping us throughout.”

“Basically the whole thing is that he has battled depression very nicely and has been declared fit to work and take up new cricket assignments with immediate effect. He's starting with coaching assignments in Pune from today. For now, since the assignment will be in Pune, and he was already in Pune, he will stay back here until he completes his assignments. Salil is very happy and excited to start working again and is looking forward to more coaching assignments in India and abroad," she added.

On May 6 2026, TOI had reported first that Ankola had been suffering from severe depression and was admitted to a rehab centre near Pune.

Ankola was appointed as the national selector on January 7, 2023, and was in the post till Aug 2024. He was also Mumbai's chief selector from 2021-23.

The 58-year-old has been commentating in domestic cricket and in the IPL for the past few years.

Ankola played a solitary Test for India against Pakistan at Karachi in 1989, and was the other debutant in the match besides legends Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. He took two wickets in that match. He had also played 20 ODIs, capturing 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.