IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) To Sport Blue Jersey To Pay Respect To COVID-19 Frontline Workers

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have decided that the players will be donning a special Blue jersey in one of their forthcoming matches to pay “respect and show solidarity to all the front line heroes” who have tirelessly, risking their own lives, served the country for a year in the battle against the Covid-19,

RCB confirmed that the players will not be wearing their green jersey, which they use once every season to spread the ‘Go Green’ initiative. Instead, they will sport the blue jersey with messages on it in support of the frontline workers who wear the PPE kits, which are blue in colour.

The franchise put out a post on Sunday morning, with skipper Virat Kohli speaking about the franchise identifying “key areas where much needed help is required immediately in healthcare infrastructure” particularly regarding the Oxygen support not just in Bangalore, but other cities as well. 

RCB will also auction all the signed player jerseys to raise money for healthcare purposes

The franchise will also auction these jerseys to raise money, in addition to their “earlier financial contribution” which will be used for providing some support to the country’s plummeting health infrastructure, as the covid patients are struggling to acquire beds and oxygen supplies in the hospitals.

“RCB has identified key areas where much needed help is required immediately in healthcare infrastructure related to Oxygen support in Bengaluru and other cities, and will be making a financial contribution towards this,” the franchise said in their statement on Instagram.

“This season RCB is going to be sporting a special Blue jersey in one of the early upcoming matches with key messaging on the match kit to pay our respect and show solidarity to all the front line heroes who have spent the majority of last year wearing PPE kits and leading the fight against the pandemic, instead of our flagship Go Green Initiative match.

“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,” it added.

Before RCB, the Rajasthan Royals have raised INR 7.5 crore (US$ 1 million approx.) while the Delhi Capitals contributed INR 1.5 crore ($20,2500 approx.) for the cause.

As India recorded over 300,00 positive covid cases, and more than 2000 deaths per day for the last week, the procession of donations from players or franchises was started by Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler, Pat Cummins who announced a donation of US$ 50,000 “specifically to purchase oxygen supplies for India’s hospitals” to PM Cares Fund, and several other cricketers then followed the suit.

Speaking of RCB, the Virat Kohli-led side has now lost two of their last three games, after winning their first four encounters and are placed at the third position on the points table with 10 points. They will next face KKR on Monday in Ahmedabad.

Here is RCB’s post:

 

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A post shared by Royal Challengers Bangalore (@royalchallengersbangalore)

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