New Delhi, April 26: Kolkata Knight Riders' Australian pacer Pat Cummins on Monday announced a USD 50,000 donation towards PM CARES Fund for oxygen supplies in India's COVID-19 ravaged hospitals and backed the IPL to continue, saying he has been "advised" that the Indian government views it "as few hours of joy" in a difficult time.

In a statement on his official Twitter handle, he made the announcement and urged other top players to do the same as the country battles 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. Pat Cummins Donates to PM Cares Fund To Aid India in Purchasing Oxygen for Hospitals Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Encourages Fellow IPL Players To Contribute.

Pat Cummins' Tweet

"I am advised that 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," Cummins said in his statement. The country recorded over 3.53 lakh cases on Monday, the highest across the world since the pandemic began last year.

"To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly."

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.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)