Ahmedabad: In a big-hearted gesture that is bound to win him many more fans in India, Australian pacer Pat Cummins on Monday made public his decision to donate $50,000 to PM CARES Fund for bolstering oxygen supplies in the country’s COVID-19 ravaged hospitals.
Cummins, who was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 15.5 crore ahead of IPL 2020, backed the IPL to continue amid the raging pandemic, saying that he has been told the Indian government views it “as few hours of joy” in a difficult time.
The world’s leading bowler took to Twitter to inform about his decision. He also urged other players to contribute towards India’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
“To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly… There has been a lot of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high.
“I am advised that Indian government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country,” Cummins stated.
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) April 26, 2021
Three of Cummins’ fellow-Australians – Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson – and ace Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have said they will be leaving the IPL for personal reasons.
