While one Pandya licks his wounds, another heals others'.
Former India cricketer Jacob Martin who is admitted in a Vadodara hospital, fighting a battle of life and death has found immense financial support from the cricketing community after his wife Khayati appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking help. Martin injured his lungs and liver in a road accident on December 28, 2018. After former captain Sourav Ganguly came out in support of the ailing family, current Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya has reportedly sent a blank cheque for the family in an unprecedented show of support.
Sanjay Patel, a former secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association who has spearheaded efforts to save Martin's life revealed this to The Telegraph. He went on to add that even though the BCCI hasn't been of much help, the larger cricket community has ensured that the hospital bills and services are covered for the near future.
Regarding Krunal, Patel said that the cricketer told him: "Sir, please fill up whatever is needed, but nothing less than Rs 1 lakh."
"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 added that the Indian team and its coach Ravi Shastri have also assured the family of any kind of help if needed. A slew of former and active Indian cricketers including Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Munaf Patel have also pledged their unconditional support to Martin's family.
"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 said.
Martin who made his India debut under Ganguly in 1999, played ten ODIs scoring 158 runs at an average of 22.57.
