On a day that Nicholas Pooran recorded his fourth duck of the IPL season, he scored big off the field as he announced his decision to donate a part of his IPL salary to help India fight the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

Punjab Kings’ Pooran, in a video posted on Twitter, said: “If you can get vaccinated please do, I will also do my part which is continue to pray for India but not only that, I would also like to donate a portion of my IPL salary towards this crisis.

Pooran further added: “To all my fans and supporters around the world and back home, I realise I am in a safe and privileged position here in India at the IPL. But it’s also heartbreaking to be so close to such tragedy that’s unfolding around us. For a country that has shown us so much love and support over the years, all I can do is join hands with my fellow players to help bring some awareness to this situation in India.”

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Australian pacer Pat Cummins was the first among overseas players to contribute, donating $50,000 to the PM Cares Fund.

Delhi Capitals’ Shikhar Dhawan and Rajasthan Royals’ Jaydev Unadkat have also come forward to help in the fight against the pandemic.

Opener Dhawan has donated Rs 20 lakh to an NGO, the one to which Sachin Tendulkar had made a Rs 1 crore contribution, for buying oxygen cylinders and concentrators. Not only that, Dhawan has also decided to donate the prize money he receives from IPL 2021 matches at the end of the event.

“We are in unprecedented times right now and it is the need of the hour that we do everything possible to help each other out,” Dhawan said in a social media post. “I will be making a donation of Rs 20 lakh plus money from all post-match individual performances awards that I receive from IPL 2021 towards Mission Oxygen to help fund requirement of Oxygen,” Dhawan wrote.

Left-arm pacer Unadkat has said that he will donate 10 per cent of his IPL salary to help Covid-19 patients who need essential medical resources.

“I am contributing 10% of my IPL salary towards providing essential medical resources for those in need. Jai Hind!,” Unadkat tweeted.