Published: Jan 22, 2019, 02:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 22, 2019, 02:59 PM (IST)
India allrounder Krunal Pandya has come forward to help former Baroda cricketer Jacob Martin, who has been in serious condition in hospital since December 28.
Martin, who was involved in a freak road accident, continues to battle for life, after sustaining injuries to his lungs and liver. After his wife wrote to the BCCI to seek financial help, many cricketers stepped forward to help the 46-year-old, who played 10 ODIs, and made his debut for India in September 1999 when Sourav Ganguly was leading the side. (ALSO READ: Sourav Ganguly among other Indian cricketers come forward to help hospitalised Jacob Martin)
Martin’s daily hospital bills amount to Rs 70,000. Among the cricketers who have offered to help are Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, Yusuf Pathan and his brother Irfan and Munaf Patel. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has also sanctioned Rs 2.7 lakh.
Krunal Pandya, the elder brother of Hardik, is next to join the list of cricketers to help Martin, who coached Baroda in the 2016-17 season. According to a report in The Telegraph on Tuesday, Krunal sent a blank cheque to former BCCI and BCA secretary Sanjay Patel.
“Sir, please fill up whatever is needed, but nothing less than Rs 1 lakh,” Krunal told Patel, as quoted by The Telegraph. (ALSO READ: In critical condition, Baroda cricketer Jacob Martin’s wife seeks financial help from BCCI)
“Martin’s family was in a dilemma, whether to appeal for help or not. Today, the situation is such that they don’t have to ask, members from the fraternity are asking about the amount to transfer,” Patel said.
Patel also received assurance of help from Team India head coach Ravi Shastri, who is currently in New Zealand for the upcoming series.
“It’s overwhelming that Zaheer Khan, Yusuf and Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Sourav and Ravi, among others, have come forward to extend a helping hand in this time of distress for Martin’s family,” Patel had said.
