Virat-Anushka pledges to contribute to PM Cares Fund and CM's Relief Fund to combat COVID-19

Making the announcement, the celebrity couple said on micro-blogging site Twitter that their hearts were breaking looking at people's suffering due to the outbreak of the deadly Novel Coronavirus.

"Anushka and I are pledging our support towards PM-CARES Fund & the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Maharashtra). Our hearts are breaking looking at the suffering of so many & we hope our contribution, in some way, helps easing the pain of our fellow citizens," Kohli tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday  took to Twitter to appeal to people to contribute to the fund to fight against the virus which has kept the country as well as the globe on edge.

The Prime Minister had tweeted, "People across the country have expressed their willingness to contribute to fight against COVID-19. In recognition of this sentiment, Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund has been created. This will prove to be very effective in building a healthy India." 

Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has pledged to contribute Rs. 31 crore to PM Cares Fund and Rs. 21 crore to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.

"It’s time we all do our bit to help defeat #COVID19. I’m pledging ₹52 lakh for the fight against #Corona (₹31 lakh to the  PM-CARES Fund & ₹21 lakh to the UP CM’s Disaster Relief Fund). Please do your bit too. Jai Hind!" Raina tweeted.

Former Indian skipper and cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, earlier donated Rs. 50 lakh to combat COVID-19 which has so far infected 959 people including 23 fatalities.

Tendulkar has contributed Rs. 25 each to the Relief Funds of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of his state Maharashtra.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) along with its affiliated state associations on Saturday announced that it will contribute Rs. 51 crore to the PM Cares Fund.

As India is presently under a 21-day lockdown to stop the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly had earlier in association with a company pledged to donate rice worth Rs. 50 lakh for the underprivileged.

India's World Cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has contributed Rs. 1 lakh through a Pune-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).