IPL 2021: RCB to sport special blue jersey to raise money towards oxygen support

With the world grappling with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations and individuals have tried their best to contribute and help the sufferers around by donating and making contributions in their capacity. A host of cricketers and organizations have come forward in the recent past to help India’s response towards battling a dreadful second wave of the virus, driven by a deadlier mutant.

Australian cricketers Pat Cummins and Brett Lee made generous contributions while Estonian Cricket Association and Indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Hardik Pandya, and Krunal Pandya amongst others have also contributed in different ways to assist their fellow countrymen in these tumultuous times. Apart from individual donations, IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals have also made notable contributions to do their bit for the nation.

With an overwhelming number of new infections being identified each day, India has found itself in an extreme situation of running out of resources to tackle the patients in need of urgent medical care.

Amid such an unfortunate crisis, the newest entrant to take an initiative is the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise of the IPL, which has “identified key areas where much needed help is required immediately in healthcare infrastructure related to Oxygen support in Bangalore and other cities” and has decided to make financial contributions towards it.

RCB to sport a special jersey to show solidarity to all front-line workers

Tweeting from the official handle, the franchise informed about their initiative of wearing a special Blue jersey to pay respect and show solidarity to all the front-line heroes who have led the nation in such testing times.

“RCB has identified key areas where much needed help is required immediately in healthcare infrastructure related to Oxygen support in Bangalore and other cities, and will be making a financial contribution towards this,” read RCB’s tweet acknowledging the medical oxygen crisis in different cities of the nation.

In a video posted alongside, the team’s captain Virat Kohli is seen addressing the unpreceded issues faced by the country over the last year. Kohli has urged all citizens to get vaccinated at the earliest apart from informing the initiatives taken by the franchise.

“This season RCB is going to be sporting a special Blue jersey in 1 of the upcoming matches with key messaging on the match kit to pay our respect & show solidarity to all the front line heroes who have spent last year wearing PPE kits & leading the fight against the pandemic,” read the Tweet ahead.

The franchise further confirmed that the signed match jerseys will be auctioned, and the proceeds will be directed to support India’s health infrastructure.

“RCB will also auction all the signed player jerseys from this game to raise money and add to our earlier financial contribution supporting healthcare infrastructure related to oxygen support.”

RCB has identified key areas where much needed help is required immediately in healthcare infrastructure related to Oxygen support in Bangalore and other cities, and will be making a financial contribution towards this. pic.twitter.com/jS5ndZR8dt

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 2, 2021