Kolkata Knight Riders and Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins on Monday announced a donation of $50,000 (around Rs 37 lakh) to PM CARES Fund for oxygen supplies in India’s fight against COVID-19. He has backed the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to continue, saying he was “advised” that the Indian Government views that as a “few hours of joy” in difficult times.    

Cummins made the announcement about the donation on his Twitter handle, and urged other players to do the same as the nation fights a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There has been a lot of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high. I am advised that the Indian government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country,” said Cummins in his statement.

The country recorded over 3.53 lakh cases on Monday, the highest across the world since the pandemic began last year.

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“To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly,” the cricketer said. 

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals pacer Andrew Tye decided to leave midway from the IPL as he feared getting “locked out” of his own country.

Australian bowlers Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson also withdrew from the remainder of the ongoing league citing personal reasons, their franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore said on Monday.