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Pat Cummins Makes Generous Donation To India Amid Devastating COVID-19 Surge

Pat Cummins Makes Generous Donation To India Amid Devastating COVID-19 Surge

India registered over 300,000 new coronavirus cases per day over the last week, bringing the country's total number of cases to 17 million.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Pat Cummins has thrown his support behind India while it suffers from a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

The Australian cricketer has gone out of his way to donate $50,000 to the "PM Cares Fund" to help India combat the devastating coronavirus spike which has brought the country's total cases to over 17 million.

Cummins has also encouraged his fellow IPL players to do the same.

"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," he said in a passionate social media post.

"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.

India has registered almost 300,000 new cases per day over the last week.
PA

"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.

"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."

The tweet received well over 400,000 likes with over 30,000 comments of cricket fans showing their support.

Australian Test vice-captain Cummins is currently representing the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League competition.

But amid the growing number of cases - a whopping three million in the last two weeks alone - a handful of Cummins' fellow countrymen have decided to stop playing in the IPL to return home to Australia.

Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Andrew Tye became the first Aussie to jet out of India amid the escalating situation and he was later joined by Royal Challengers Bangalore duo Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson.

13 Aussies, including Cummins, are currently still in India.

"There's definitely concerns. A lot of guys have been in touch today once they've realised I was leaving," Tye told SEN radio.

"Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it. Other guys are just happy to make sure I'm OK and I'm in a good space.

"There is some concern. I'm not sure if I'll be the only one, but that's too early for me to say."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Aussie, Cricket, Coronavirus, Cricket News, Australia, , Covid-19