Australian pacer Pat Cummins, Who is currently representing Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, has donated $50,000'' to PM Cares Fund for the purchase of oxygen supplies amid COVID-19 surge. “I encourage my fellow IPL players, and anyone else around the world who has been touched by India's passion and generosity, to contribute”, he wrote in a note.

"There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high. I am advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country," he said.

"As players we are privileged to have a platform that allows us to reach millions of people that we can use for good. With that in mind, I have made a contribution to the "PM Cares Fund," specifically to purchase oxygen supplies for India's hospitals," the Australian wrote.

"I encourage my fellow IPL players - and anyone around else the world who has been touched by India's passion and generosity - to contribute. I will kick it off with $50,000," he said.

Meanwhile, three Australian players pulled out of IPL 2021 amid the escalating COVID-19 crisis in India.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa as well as Rajasthan Royals' Andrew Tye have withdrawn from the ongoing season of the cash-rich league.

Cummins, who was signed for a record INR 15.5 crore (US$ 2 million approx.) last season, is part of a diminishing pool of Australian cricketers at the IPL. His compatriots Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Rajasthan Royals' Andrew Tye have all pulled out over the past two days, while England's Liam Livingstone had done the same last week. While Livingstone had spoken of "bubble fatigue" for his decision to leave, the Royal Challengers put Zampa and Richardson's departure down to "personal reasons", while Tye has said that he wanted to avoid the risk of not being able to return home.

On Sunday night, R Ashwin, a Delhi Capitals' player in the IPL, also pulled out at the end of his team's match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad saying that he wanted to be with his family as they fought the pandemic.

Cummins, in his note, urged other cricketers to try and make a difference too.