Former India cricketer Salil Ankola opens up about alcohol addiction, mental health, losing his cricket career, and rebuilding his life.

In this deeply personal conversation with Dr. Aditi Govitrikar, Salil shares his journey from making his India debut alongside Sachin Tendulkar to being forced to leave cricket, moving into acting, struggling with alcoholism, going through rehab, and eventually returning to cricket as a selector.

He speaks candidly about how alcohol became a form of escape, the warning signs he ignored, blackouts, repeated attempts at recovery, and the role his wife Ria played in helping him rebuild his life. He also explains why addiction is often misunderstood, why denial is so powerful, and why recognising that you need help is the first major step toward recovery.

The episode also explores identity, failure, second chances, resilience, pressure in Indian cricket, his return as a selector, and his more recent mental health struggles.

In this episode:

• Salil Ankola’s India debut alongside Sachin Tendulkar
• Losing cricket and struggling with identity
• Alcohol addiction and rehab
• His recovery journey
• Returning to Indian cricket as a selector
• Mental health, anxiety and asking for help
• Lessons on resilience, pressure and second chances

Watch till the end for Salil Ankola’s message to anyone struggling with addiction, mental health or a difficult phase in life.