Mumbai: In an encouraging development, the former India and Mumbai fast bowler and former national selector Salil Ankola has overcome severe depression, for which he had been undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation center near Pune for the last one and a half months, and is keen to resume work now.“I would like to resume work again. I am really open to any cricketing assignment-coaching or anything related to sports. I am out now. I have a couple of meetings. I will start a coaching job here (in Trinity Academy in Pune). I will be released (from the rehabilitation center) in 10-15 days. the rehabilitation center). They are absolutely fighting fit. Most importantly, I am also in a good frame of mind,” Ankola told TOI from Pune on Tuesday.Speaking about his hard period, Ankola said: “(Admitted to the rehabilitation center for severe clinical depression) was one of the best decisions I made. I needed that time for myself. I did not feel well, which is the most important thing. I talked to my wife, who suggested that I should (check in a rehabilitation center for treatment). You should leave everything and (under treatment).Salil’s wife, Ria Ankola, said: “Salil is much better. I met him yesterday in Pune. The doctors are very happy with his progress. He is approved to resume work now. They say he will be released and return home very soon. I have to thank all his friends and his lovers for being there for him and for being so supportive and helping.”“Basically everything is that he fought depression very well and was declared fit to work and take new cricket assignments with immediate effect. He starts with the coaching assignments in Pune from today. For now, since the assignment will be in Pune, and he was already in Pune, he will stay here until he completes his assignments abroad,” he added.On May 6, 2026, TOI had earlier reported that Ankola had been suffering from severe depression and was admitted to a rehabilitation center near Pune.Ankola was appointed as the national selector on 7 January 2023, and was in the post until August 2024. He was also the chief selector of Mumbai from 2021–23.The 58-year-old has been commentating in domestic cricket and the IPL for the past few years.Ankola played a solitary Test for India against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, and was the other debutant in the match alongside 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.
