IPL 2021: Pat Cummins donates $50,000 for 'purchase of oxygen supplies' in India

Pat Cummins is an Australian pacer who currently plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. India is currently undergoing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, while there has been an acute shortage of enough oxygen to treat the patients.

Australian pacer Pat Cummins has come out in support of a social cause and that too to help India. He has donated $50,000 to India's PM Cares Fund to help the nation get enough oxygen supplies to treat the COVID patients.

Cummins sent out a post on Twitter where he wrote, "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. There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high. I'm advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country."

"As players, we are privileged to have a platform that allows us to reach millions of people that we can use for good. With that in mind, I have made a contribution to the "PM Cares Fund," specifically to purchase oxygen supplies for India's hospitals. I encourage my fellow IPL players - and anyone around else the world who has been touched by India's passion and generosity - to contribute. I will kick it off with $50,000," he added.

"At times like this, it is easy to feel helpless. I've certainly felt that of late. But, I hope by making this public appeal, we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people's lives. I know my donation isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone," he concluded.

India is currently going through the crunch phase of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Sunday, more than 3,50,000 new cases have been registered. Furthermore, there has been a lack of enough oxygen to treat the patients, as the government struggles and works hard to arrange the same internationally.

Cummins is currently on Indian Premier League duty with Kolkata Knight riders, playing for the side since last year. KKR is presently troubled, having lost four of its five matches so far and sits at the bottom of the points table.

In the meantime, five players (Ravichandran Ashwin, Liam Livingstone, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson) pulled out of IPL 2021 on Sunday due to the country's serious situation surrounding the COVID. However, Ashwin has stated that he is taking a break from the tournament and would be back at the latter half if things go right.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona