• Source:PTI
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Former India head coach Greg Chappell, renowned for his contributions as a batting icon, has opened up about facing financial difficulties in recent times. In a surprising revelation, the 75-year-old former Australian captain, who also made headlines during his controversial stint as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from 2005 to 2007, disclosed that he is experiencing financial challenges.

As a result, his friends have come to his aid by establishing an online fundraising platform aimed at improving his quality of life in his later years.

While Greg Chappell emphasized that he is not in dire straits, he has made it clear that he isn't living a life of luxury, despite his illustrious cricketing career.

"I'm not on the bones of my ****,” Chappell told News Corp.

"I certainly don't want it to sound like we're in desperate straits, because we're not — but we're not living in luxury either. I think most people assume that, because we played cricket, that we are all living in the lap of luxury. While I'm certainly not crying poor, we're not reaping in the benefits that today's players are,” he said.

This revelation has shed light on the financial realities faced by even legendary figures in the world of sports, emphasizing the importance of prudent financial planning and support systems, especially during one's post-retirement years.

“It is just my friends who realised that we didn't get a lot and just to make sure that Judy and I were comfortable in our retirement,” Chappell said.

“To be fair, there are others of our era who are in more dire circumstances that could do with the help and I don't think the game has done enough for players of that era. Particularly in relation to the comparison with today's era."

“I believe the players that set the scene for what's happening today, should probably be recognised for the role they played in getting the game to where it is today,” Chappell added.

A report in news.com.au quotes Chappell's friends saying that he is doing it tougher than an Australian sporting legend ever should.

"Greg is a very proud man. He's doing it tougher than what he says,” Chappell's friend Peter Maloney said.

The Australian great also runs the Chappell Foundation, which raises funds for homelessness charities.

But the foundation makes sure every cent is distributed each year and Chappell doesn't keep any money for himself.

“The Chappell Foundation is run by Darshak Mehta and 100 per cent of the money that is raised gets distributed,” Maloney said.

“They distribute it annually so at the end of each year, they don't leave any money and they're starting afresh."

"If you put your name to a foundation you're entitled to take some money out of it. But Greg hasn't taken a cent out of it, even though he could have.

“I guess that was the irony that he was the face of it and turning up to every function and he's raising all this money while he didn't have a hell of a lot himself.

“Put it this way, we will probably end up raising about $250,000 out of it, and it will significantly enhance his last few years,” Maloney added.

Chappell scored 24 centuries across 87 Tests during the 1970s and 80s and led Australia 48 times. He retired from Tests in January 1984 as the highest run-getter (7110) in Australian Test history, surpassing Sir Donald Bradman's record of 6996 runs.

 

Inputs from PTI