Wife Prithi Narayanan reveals family health emergency behind R Ashwin's withdrawal from IPL 2021

Virat Kohli is the most professional player I've ever seen: Simon Katich

Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Simon Katich has lavished praise on captain Virat Kohli and said the right-handed batsman is still keen on learning. “Virat still wants to learn, though, and is always asking if we can see anything that might improve his game, but a player of his caliber, there is not a lot wrong with his game," Katich said. Moreover, Katich further added that Kohli is the most professional player that he has seen. “What I learned very quickly is that Virat is probably the most professional player I've ever seen, and that is saying something when you think about the era of Australian cricket I played in (2001-2010),” he said. "Whether that is in the gym or with his nutrition or all the recovery and rehab work you do, he leaves no stone unturned. A lot of players do that but he takes it to the nth degree," the former Australian player added. RCB have tasted some success in this edition of the IPL after winning five of the 6 games that they have played so far and are placed at number three spot in the points table. The Virat Kohl-led side will now play Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Shikhar Dhawan pledges Rs 20 lakh donation, individual award money to fund Oxygen supplies

Indian and Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan has finally come forward to give back to the people with a donation of Rs 20 lakh and all monetary value of his individual awards go forward in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League to help in the funding Oxygen supplies in the country. "I will be making a donation of ₹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," Dhawan said in his statement released on Twitter. "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. He also thanked the frontline workers for putting brave efforts in the face of a deadly pandemic and suggested people adopt Covid appropriate behaviour such as the washing of hands and wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. "I would like to thank all the tireless frontline workers for their incredible service. We are forever in your debt. I also urge everyone to observe all health protocols - wear a mask, sanitize and maintain social distancing. Please step out only when necessary. Together, we will win," he added. The BCCI along with franchises and players have faced criticism for an act of overlooking the disaster unfolding in the county in the form of a Covid-19 pandemic that is killing as many as more than 3,000 people on daily basis.

IPL 2021: Jaydev Unadkat pledge to donate 10 percent of his IPL salary

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.

Covid-19: After Rajasthan Royals, now Punjab Kings extend support with oxygen concentrators

The Punjab Kings franchise has announced that it will help in India’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic by providing oxygen concentrators. The franchise took to its Twitter account to announce the move which will be a collaborative move with Round Table India foundation. Earlier, Punjab batsman Nicholas Pooran has also announced to donate a portion of his IPL salary to help India amid the raging pandemic that is killing more than 3,000 people on average daily. The Punjab Kings have become the second franchise to pledge help for the Covid-19 crisis in India after the Rajasthan Royals, who pledged to provide acquisition and distribution of oxygen concentrators across the country. The ongoing edition of the IPL has caught between the ire of people who believe such sports extravaganza should not take place in the country where people are dying in masses. They argue that players and administrators can not carry on playing with a tone-deafness while people are struggling to find basic medical facilities in the country.