COVID-19 has overwhelmed India's healthcare system and left citizens struggling for hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and medication among other essentials.
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Delhi Capitals (DC) opener Shikhar Dhawan took to Twitter on Friday to announce that he would be donating a sum of Rs 20 lakh plus whatever money he earns from all post-match individual awards in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhawan, whose franchise DC had already announced financial aid to two NGOs to procure medical supplies and equipment, joins a long list of cricketers and ex-cricketers to donate to help India get through a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 virus. Others who have announced donations are Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Pat Cummins, Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) Nicholas Pooran, ex-cricketer Brett Lee, and others.
In a statement he released on Twitter, Dhawan said that all his post-match individual award earnings, plus the sum of Rs 20 lakh, would be donated towards Mission Oxygen, to help the country’s healthcare system deal with the increasingly overwhelming demand for oxygen as more and more patients get admitted to hospitals and other medical facilities.
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) April 30, 2021
“We are in unprecedented times right now, and it is the need of the hour that we do everything possible to help each other out. 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 will be making a donation of Rs 20 lakhs, plus money from all post-match individual performance awards that I receive from the IPL 2021 towards Mission Oxygen to help fund the requirement of oxygen,” the statement read.
He also went on to extend his gratitude to all frontline workers and urged the citizens to follow COVID appropriate behaviour when going out like wearing a mask, sanitizing, and maintaining social distance. He also urged people to step out of their homes only when absolutely necessary.
Jaydev Unadkat has pledged 10% of his salary from the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Unadkat, who has been a Royals player since being re-purchased at the 2019 player auction for INR 8.40 crore, said in his tweet that his contribution would be going towards “providing essential medical resources for those in need”.
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