Cricket News
| On 4 years ago

IPL 2020: Why Virat Kohli has changed his name ahead of RCB’s first game?

By Midhun M Menon
Share

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the most followed sportsperson in the world. Not just that, he is a hero and an inspiration to millions around the world. People are ready to spend heaps of money to get his signed jersey or merchandise. The name ‘Kohli’ is a brand in itself. But the man himself along with the rest of his RCB teammates have decided to leave behind their name, and don the jersey with the names of COVID-warriors, as a tribute for their undying spirit and effort during these testing times.

RCB players will wear new names on the back of their jersey

The Bangalore based IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore has come up with an innovative and heart-warming gesture. All of their players won’t be having their respective names on the back of their jersey, instead, they will don the jersey’s which have the names of India’s unsung COVID heroes. This is to acknowledge the efforts and honour the sacrifices made by such COVID heroes in the fight against the pandemic.

Hence, RCB captain Virat Kohli will be wearing a jersey with ‘Simranjeet’ written on it for today’s match. Simranjeet Singh is a hearing-impaired person. He along with his friends raised Rs 98,000 to help people during the COVID pandemic time. He gathered a few similar minded people to collect the funds. All of them were not part of any organization, and did these humanitarian works selflessly, without expecting nothing in return.

“My COVID Heroes jersey as a sign of solidarity and gratitude to everyone who is right now going the extra mile to support the community at large. They have batted day and night and fought on the field, and I am honoured to call them my heroes.” Said Virat Kohli when talking about this heartwarming initiative taken up by RCB.

WATCH: R Ashwin clean bowls Nicholas Pooran with a brilliant ball

AB de Villiers a.k.a Paritosh Pant

RCB’s star player AB de Villiers will be wearing a jersey with Paritosh written on the back instead of his name.

“I salute Paritosh, who started ‘Project Feeding from Far’ with Pooja & fed meals 2 needy during the lockdown. I wear his name on my back this season 2 appreciate their challenger spirit,” De Villiers wrote on his Twitter handle, which was also renamed as Paritosh Pant.

Paritosh Pant is a restauranteur who started ‘Project Feeding from Far’. He along with lawyer Pooja Reddy started this restaurant in Mumbai’s Govandi which helped immensely in feeding meals to the needy during the lockdown.

WATCH: Shaheen Afridi picks 4 wickets in 4 balls in T20 Blast

For more cricket news, click here.

 

Midhun M Menon

An engineer who watches, plays, and writes cricket. Out here to tell you interesting stories from 22 yards from the perspective of a 22-year-old guy.