Mumbai: In an encouraging development, former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former selector Salil Ankola has overcome severe depression, for which he has been undergoing treatment at a rehab center near Pune for the past month and a half, and now wants to resume work.“I’d love to resume work. I’m really open to any cricket assignments – coaching or anything related to the sport. I’m going out now. I’ve got a few meetings. I’m starting work as a coach here (at Trinity Academy in Pune). I’ll be released (from the rehab centre) in 10-15 days. I’ve been with Ria (his wife). It’s good to be back in the game. I’m a lot fitter now – I’ve lost about 10kg because I’ve been training there in a good gym. I’m absolutely in fighting shape. Most importantly, I am in a good mood too,” Ankola told TOI from Pune on Tuesday.Talking about his difficult period, Ankola said: “(Admission to a rehab center for severe clinical depression) was one of the best decisions I made. I needed that time for myself. I didn’t feel well, which is the most important thing. I talked about it with my wife, who suggested that I should (check into a rehab center for treatment). I had to do it in the middle of my IPL for commenting. In things like this, you have 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 now able to resume work. They say he will be discharged and will return home very soon. I have to thank all his friends and well-wishers for being by his side and giving us so much support and help.”“Basically, the whole thing is that he has dealt with depression very well and has been declared fit for work and is taking up new assignments in cricket with immediate effect. He will start his coaching assignments in Pune from today. For now, since the assignment will be in Pune and he has already been in Pune, he will stay 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 6 May 2026, TOI first reported that Ankola was suffering from severe depression and had been admitted to a rehab center near Pune.Ankola was appointed as the national coach on 7 January 2023 and held the post until August 2024. He was also the head coach of Mumbai from 2021 to 2023.The 58-year-old has been commentating on domestic cricket and the IPL for the past few years.Ankola played a solo Test for India against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and was the second debutant in the match apart from legends Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. He took two wickets in that match. He also played 20 ODIs, taking 13 wickets. A key player for Mumbai in the 90s, Ankola featured in 54 first-class matches in which he took 181 wickets, with best figures of 6-47.
