Pat Cummins, in a statement on social media, said he has made the donation to the PM Cares Fund, specifically to purchase oxygen supplies for India's hospitals.
Cummins, who was bought by KKR for Rs 15.5 crore in 2020, has been an integral member of the 2-time champion side. The Australia fast bowler has featured in all 5 matches for KKR in IPL 2021.
Taking to social media, Cummins said it saddens him to see the suffering of people outside the bio-bubbles of IPL in the country. IPL 2021 is being held in strict bio-bubble environments across 6 major cities in India, which has been hit hard by the second wave of Covid-19.
"India is a country I have come to love dearly over the years and the people here are one of the warmest and kindest I have met. To know so many are suffering so much this time saddens me greatly," Cummins.
"There has been quite a bit of discussion over here whether it is appropriate for 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 a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country," he added.
"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."
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) April 26, 2021
The coronavirus caseload and death toll hit new records for a fifth straight day as India faced a deluge of over 3.52 lakh Covid-19 cases and 2,812 deaths in a single day.
Hospitals, overwhelmed by the surge in Covid-19 positive patients, said they were in crisis, with most hospitals full and running out of medical oxygen to treat critical patients.
Notably, a few star cricketers, including India off-spinner R Ashwin and Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa, withdrew from IPL 2021 due to personal reasons. Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday announced that fast bowler Kane Richardson and Zampa would be flying back to Australia.
Ashwin took to social media on Monday to announce he is taking a break from IPL 2021 to help his family fight the Covid-19 battle. Rajasthan Royals pacer Andrew Tye also pulled out of IPL 2021 and headed back home.
