Team India pacer Mohammed Shami has a target set ahead of Australia's limited-overs tour of India and that is to win the series and dedicate the victory to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) martyrs, who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.
The cricketer has already donated Rs. 5 Lakhs to the CRPF Wives Welfare association and has stated that the cricketers are always there for the jawans, who protect the border while they are playing for the country.
"It's very upsetting to hear about the tragic events that happened in Pulwama. They risk their lives at the borders so we Indians can sleep safe. It's the least we can do by contributing to help the families who have lost their loved ones and we will always be by their side," Shami told IndiaTV.
"It's our responsibility to give back for the amount they have done for us. We Indians are safe because they're risking their lives 24x7," Shami added.
"As cricketers we try our level best to go and meet the jawans who are out there. Their morale is boosted thinking that there are people who care about them. We hope to meet the families and help them feel that the entire country is with them."
"Please don't ever feel alone because there are millions who are at your side at the moment. From the bottom of our hearts we salute you."
The Indian cricket team is slated to play two T20Is and five ODIs against Australia and Shami said that the Men in Blue will do everything to get a win.
"We will do everything we can to get a series win and dedicate it to the soldiers".
Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan also announced that he will donate money to the families of the CRP) soldiers, who were martyred in the Pulwama terror attack. The Indian cricketer took to Twitter to post an emotional video where he urged people to support the families of the martyred soldiers.
Earlier, BCCI acting president CK Khanna Sunday appealed to Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai to sanction at least Rs 5 crore for the families of the Indian soldiers.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has already declared that children of martyr's families will be provided free education at his 'Sehwag International School' if they wish to apply.
(With Inputs from IndiaTV's Sports Correspondent Vaibhav Bhola)
