David Warner lauds SunRisers Hyderabad for pledging Rs 10 crores to COVID-19 relief fund

Australian cricketer David Warner lauded Sun TV Group which own his IPL franchise - SunRisers Hyderabad - for donating towards COVID-19 relief measures. Earlier in day, SunRisers Hyderabad had revealed that group is donating Rs 10 crores towards relief measures amid pandemic that has gripped entire country. So far, re are 5218 active Coronavirus cases while 169 deaths have been reported across country. 

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Franchises pitch in

Several franchises of cash-rich tournament have come forward in this battle against global pandemic to donate to PM CARES relief dun. Kings XI Punjab led way as it was first franchise to pledge ir support to relief fund. Delhi Capitals made a humungous donation of whopping Rs 100 crores while Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians also joined fight. 

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Apart from franchises, several cricketers, BCCI and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly pledged support to relief fund. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has contributed a sum of Rs. 51 Crores to PM-CARES Fund which is an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in order to combat deadly COVID-19.  

Meanwhile, former Indian skipper and current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has pledged to distribute rice worth Rs 50 lakh while Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar (Rs. 50 lakh each) and Suresh Raina (Rs. 52 lakh) have come forward to lend a helping hand during this need of hour.  

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Uncertainty over IPL

As per reports, stakeholders are looking at September-vember window later this year to make IPL 2020 season happen. organisers are keen on having a go at this plan even if it’s a short season without foreign players.

If IPL 2020 indeed takes place without overseas players, re are fears that tournament may lose its charm. According to a BCCI official, it would be exactly like ar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy if foreign cricketers don’t play ir trade in IPL 2020. However, IPL officials are still optimistic and are hopeful that presence of top India stars at IPL 2020 will be eugh to attract fans to stadiums. 

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