IPL players, franchises to donate financial aid to India’s COVID-19 relief
Following the massive surge of COVID-19 cases in India, several Indian Premier League (IPL) players have pledge support to the country’s relief measures. The likes of India and Delhi Capitals (DC) opener Shikhar Dhawan, Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Jaydev Unadkat, and Punjab Kings (PK) and West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran took on social media to announce their pledge to the relief work.
India, including the IPL host cities, is nearly losing its battle against devastating second wave of coronavirus. There have been 400,000 new cases recorded every day – the most by any nation since the pandemic broke out in 2020 – which has led to crippling of healthcare services in the country, with the states of Maharashtra and Delhi being major contributors.
Dhawan said he will contribute Rs20 lakh-plus from all post-match individual awards he receives during the season. “Over the years, I have received incredible love and support from all of you, for which I am eternally grateful. It’s now my turn to give back to the people of this country. I would like to thank all the tireless front line workers for their incredible service. We are forever in your debt,” he said.
His franchise in a press release also revealed that its philanthropic arm Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF) have partnered with British Asian Trust (BAT) founded by Prince Charles to help India fight the deadly virus. “Rajasthan Royals is pleased to announce a contribution of INR Rs 7.5 crores (Over $1mn) towards Covid Relief to help with immediate support to people in India impacted by the surge of Covid.”
Meanwhile, Unadkat said 10% of his IPL salary will be contributed to help covid-19 patients who need essential medical resources. “Our country is going through a lot of distress and for that matter I know how privileged we are to be in this position to play cricket. Let us all come together and fight as a team against this pandemic, contribute and help each in whatever way we can,” Unadkat wrote in a post.
Pooran also took to social media to announce that he will be donating a portion of his IPL salary to support India’s fight against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Although many other countries are still being affected by the pandemic, the situation in India right now is particularly severe. I will do my part to bring awareness and financial assistance to this dire situation,” Pooran said in a video on Twitter.
Shortly after Pooran’s announcement, his franchise pledged to provide oxygen concentrators by joining hands with an NGO. “To help the fight against #COVID19 in India, #PBKS has pledged to provide oxygen concentrators with the help of @roundtableindia! We also request everyone to join in and help in whatever way possible because together, we can,” Punjab Kings tweeted.
Earlier, Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Pat Cummins has also announced that he donated $50,000 to PM-Cares to help purchase oxygen supplies. “India is a country I’ve come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest I’ve ever met. To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly,” Cummins said posted on Twitter.
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