Former India batsman Vinod Kambli has questioned the logic behind keeping him away from Test matches during his playing days, stating that he scored back-to-back double hundreds and averaged nearly 55 in 17 games in the five-day format.
"Despite scoring back-to-back double hundreds I was told that I was not good enough for Test cricket and was only a good One-day player. I couldn't understand the reason behind it. I was a bit taken aback," Kambli said on the sideline of the release of his biography The Last Hero by Kunal Purandare at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Thursday.
"Having played 17 Tests and averaging 54.20, I wanted to play more Test matches. (But) I didn't get any answer as to why I could not," added Kambli, who scored 1084 Test runs between 1993-1995.
The 39-year-old said that he was keen to play first-class cricket for Mumbai but was disappointed at not being picked for the team this year.
"I have announced retirement from international cricket but not Ranji Trophy or first class cricket. I was really looking forward to playing for Mumbai this year.
"I am extremely sad that I was not given a chance as I have played for Mumbai for the last 18 years. I have never left Mumbai and have always been a 'khadoos' cricketer. I was looking forward to the Ranji season this year but I was not selected," said Kambli.
"I'll never give up and keep playing the game. I'll definitely get back into the Mumbai side in the next season," the Mumbaikar added.
Kambli, who was often accused of being flamboyant and non-serious during his playing days, said that he was misunderstood as a human being.
"Lot of people have misunderstood me. I have never meant to harm anybody. I have never harmed anyone during my cricketing career. I may have hurt people but have not done it intentionally.
"The game has given me everything -- from where I was to where I am today. I played my cricket with a lot of passion. Off the field, there have been some incidents that I don't want to talk about. I have always played cricket with my full heart and soul. Cricket has always been my first love and it will remain so," he added.
Talking about the book, he said, "Don't know what has been written in the book. But it's an attempt. No one has written a book on Vinod Kambli in two decades. But Kunal has shown the courage. It's a big day for him. I haven't read the book as yet but the stories it contains would be interesting."
Kambli, however, said he did not agree with the title -- The Last Hero -- of the book.
"I don't understand the title. He must have liked it. He must have felt that way. But a hero remains a hero nevertheless."
