Mumbai: In an encouraging development, former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former national selector Salil Ancora He has overcome severe depression and has been undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation center near Pune for the past one-and-a-half months and is now eager to get back to work.“I would love to get back to work again. I am really open to any cricket assignment coaching or anything related to the sport. I am going out now. I have a few meetings to do. I am starting some coaching work here (Trinity College, Pune). I will be discharged (from the rehab center) in 10 to 15 days. I have been living with Ria (his wife). I am fitter now – I have recovered. “Losed about 10 kg because I worked out at a good gym (rehabilitation centre) there. I was definitely fighting. Most importantly, my mentality is also good,” Ankola told TOI in Pune on Tuesday.Speaking about his difficult time, Ancora said, “(Entering rehab for severe clinical depression) was one of the best decisions I ever made. I needed to give myself time. I didn’t feel good, and that was the most important thing. I talked to my wife about it, and she suggested that I should[go to rehab for treatment].Salil’s wife Ria Ankola said, “Salil’s condition is much better. I met him yesterday in Pune. The doctors are very happy with his progress. He can resume work now. They said he will be discharged from the hospital and return home soon. I must thank all his friends and well wishes for being with him and being so supportive and helpful throughout the process.”“Overall, he has battled depression well and has settled into work and has started taking up the newly announced cricket assignment immediately. He will be in Pune on coaching assignment from today. Currently, as the assignment will be in Pune and he is already in Pune, he will stay here till the completion of the assignment. Salil is very happy and excited to start working again and is looking forward to taking up more coaching assignments in India and abroad,” she added.On May 6, 2026, the Times of India first reported that Ankola suffered from severe depression and was sent to a rehabilitation center near Pune.Ancora was appointed as a national elector on January 7, 2023, and will serve until August 2024. He is also the Chief Elector of Mumbai from 2021-23.The 58-year-old has been working as a commentator in domestic cricket and IPL for the past few years.Ankola played for India in a lone Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and was the only other player to make his debut in the tournament besides the legends Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. He took two wickets in that match. He also played 20 ODIs and took 13 wickets. Ankola was a key player for Mumbai in the 1990s, playing 54 first-class matches and taking 181 wickets with a best record of 6-47.
