New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Cricketer-turned-politician Vinod Kambli, who is contesting the Maharashtra assembly elections from Vikhroli in Mumbai will ask his childhood friend and Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar to campaign for him.

Kambli said that he would request Tendulkar, who suffered food poisoning in South Africa during the Champions Trophy, to canvass for him.

"At the moment he is not well. I pray to god that he gets well soon," Kambli told IANS. "If he gets well, I will ask him to campaign."

Kambli-Tendulkar relations have been in the spotlight following media reports of a TV show in which Kambli said: "Tendulkar did not lend a helping hand during my downward spiral."

The left-hander was also reportedly quoted as saying: "I always felt discriminated against by the cricket board because of my caste and colour."

Later, Kambli denied making any remarks against Tendulkar or the Indian cricket board.

Born in Mumbai, Kambli rose to prominence when he shared an unbroken partnership of 664 in a school match with Tendulkar. Kambli contributed 349 before their coach forced the pair to return to pavillion by declaring the innings.

Kambli, who started his Ranji Trophy career with a six off the first ball he faced, soon followed Tendulkar into the Indian team.

Kambli had an exciting start to his Test career, making two double-centuries and two centuries in just seven tests. However, he lost his touch mid-way through his career and was subsequently dropped from the team, while Tendulkar went on to become a cricket icon.

Now, Kambli is contesting the Maharashtra assembly elections from Vikhroli as a Lok Bharati Party candidate.