Rajasthan Royals left-arm pacer Jayden Unadkat jas pledged to donate ten percent of his IPL salary in order to procure oxygens and help in the medical resources as India fight the second wave of coronavirus. With more than 3.50,000 cases being reported on a daily basis, the medical teams are facing huge challenges.
After Pat Cummins, Brett Lee, Sachin Tendulkar and Shreevats Goswami, Unadkat has come forward and has promised to donate 10 per cent of his salary. “I am contributing 10% of my IPL salary towards providing essential medical resources for those in need. My family will make sure it reaches the right places. Jai Hind!” Unadkat wrote on his Twitter handle.
“I would like to share something that I have been feeling over the last couple of weeks. Our country is going through a lot of distress and for that matter, I know how privileged we are in this position to play cricket. I know how painful a personal loss can be and how worrying it can be to witness your close friends fighting for their lives. I have been through both,” Unadkat said.
Four Australian players have pulled out of the tournament midway while Ravichandran Ashwin and umpire Nitin Menon among Indians have also opted to aid their family in the time of crisis. Unadkat feels that they are in a privileged position to play cricket and it just three-hour distraction in these testing times. He urged everyone to stay safe and make sure that we can fight the pandemic together.
“Yet, I am not saying it is right or wrong to play cricket at the moment but honestly, it is difficult to stay away from family and friends in this situation. All I feel is that this game brings a much-needed distraction in these uncertain times. It brings joy to many. My heart goes out to those affected in these times. Please stay strong. Let us all come together, contribute and help each other in whatever way we can,” Unadkat further added.
Earlier in the day Punjab Kings batsman Nicholas Pooran also pledged to pay a part of his salary towards India’s fight against COVID-19. He made the declaration in a video posted on his Twitter handle and urge everyone else to donate whatever in their capacity.
‘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.