From Virat Kohli to Sania Mirza - How Indian athletes joined the fight against Covid-19 

As India continues to grapple the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a case of 'all hands to the pump'. Organisations, celebrities, charities and more have come forward to help strengthen the fight and help those affected by the virus.

Along with them, several Indian athletes have also come out in aid of those affected.

From amplifying messages over social media to raising funds, athletes from different fields have come forward.

And as the battle against the dreaded virus in India continues, let us have a look at how the athletes have helped the cause.

Abhinav Bindra

One way that most athletes have shown support to the people in need is by amplifying their requests for help and ensuring it reaches the right people. India's lone Olympic individual gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has also joined the cause and continues to share the tweets, asking for help, to reach a wider audience by resharing it.

His venture -- Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance (ABTP) -- which is spread across various cities in India and focused on physical excellence has organized various camps to combat the pandemic.

"Team ABTP Pune organized a Blood Donation Camp wherein noted coaches and athletes from varied sporting backgrounds came together to express their unified support in helping the community combat this pandemic!," ABTP tweeted.

He has also used the ABTP Twitter platform to educate the citizens on how physiotherapy can help Covid-19 patients.

Sunil Chhetri

Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, who recovered from the dreaded virus in March, came to the aid of citizens by handing over his Twitter handle to 'real-life heroes'. Through this method, Chhetri, wants to spread messages of support and relief to a wider audience.

"There are some real-life captains who are doing some extraordinary and phenomenal work (in the battle against COVID-19). They give me hope and a lot of motivation, and I want to join them," the Bengaluru FC forward had said in a video message.

"I want to give the access of my Twitter account to a few of these captains, so that important information can be amplified and reach as many people as possible. I am on your team.

"Our country is going through difficult times. The pain, suffering and loss all around us are depressing and tragic. Amidst all of this, there are so many of us who have helped -- helped each other and helped complete strangers. We all need to participate. No matter who you are, help in whichever way you can," he added.

As of now, his Twitter handle has been utilized to provide various critical information to the common man, right from -- 'Steps to get a Hospital Bed in Chennai' to 'The National Child Helpline (1098)' for the children.

Sachin Tendulkar

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar donated INR 1 Crore to procure oxygen concentrators for Covid-19 patients in the country. His contribution went towards 'Mission Oxygen' -- an initiative by the Democracy People Foundation -- which is aiming to avail at least 6000 oxygen concentrators by May 15.

“His donation of Rs 1 crore to ‘Mission Oxygen’ in its endeavour to procure and provide life-saving oxygen concentrators to hospitals across the nation in this time of need is incredibly heart-warming,” a statement from Mission Oxygen said.

The 48-year-old, who himself recovered from the virus, praised the initiative taken by a group of entrepreneurs during testing times besides pledging to donate plasma to help Covid-19 patients too.

Virat Kohli

India captain Virat Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma donated INR 2 crore to a fund-raise, aiming to collect INR 7 crore, to aid country's fight against Covid-19.

His move came after the IPL 2021 was suspended due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

"...Virat Kohli and Bollywood superstar Anushka Sharma are aiming to raise Rs. 7 crore for COVID relief in India," a press release said.

"They are kickstarting a fundraising campaign #InThisTogether on the crowd-funding platform Ketto and are putting Rs. 2 crore for this initiative."

The seven-day campaign on Ketto will be used to ACT Grants, the implementation partner which will work towards providing oxygen, medical manpower, vaccination awareness and tele-medicine facilities all through the pandemic and the amount.

Shikhar Dhawan

Team India and Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan contributed towards the Mission Oxygen initiative. He vowed to donate INR 20 lakh plus the prize money for his individual performances from IPL 2021 towards the foundation.

"We are in unprecedented times right now, and it is the need of the hour that we do everything possible to help each other out," Dhawan said in a tweet. "Over the years, I have received incredible love and support from all of you, for which I am eternally grateful. It's now my turn to give back to the people of this country.

"I will be making a donation of Rs 20 lakhs, plus money from all post-match individual performance awards that I receive from the IPL 2021 towards Mission Oxygen to help fund the requirement of oxygen."

The left-hand batsman also later donated oxygen concentrators to the Gurugram police for Covid-19 aid.

Viswanathan Anand-Koneru Humpy

Five-time world chess champion Vishwanathan Anand and Asian Games gold medallist Koneru Humpy came together to launch 'Checkmate Covid' -- an All India Chess Federation initiative (AICF) -- to provide medical and financial assistance to those affected by the pandemic.

The initiative from AICF was specially taken after the chess community lost seven to eight players and officials due to Covid-19.

Dhanraj Pillay-Pankaj Advani

Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay and ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani donated INR 5 lakh each to PM-CARES fund to help the country fight against the pandemic.

Advani had then taken to Twitter to ask the citizens to spread awareness, love and humanity during the testing times.

Sania Mirza

Six-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza embarked on a fund-raising campaign to help those in need of medical oxygen. The campaign is targeting to raise INR 25 lakhs to help those in need in this crisis-hit situation.

“Our country is in the midst of the second wave of the pandemic and the number of cases is rising at an alarming rate. There is an acute shortage of medical oxygen, which many covid patients require,” 34-year-old Sania said in a statement.

“Family members of covid patients are running from pillar to post to arrange for oxygen cylinders, which could help save their loved ones' lives. India is bleeding. All of us must stand together to fight against this deadly virus!

“If you are wondering how you can stay home and help fight the pandemic, then here's how today, I appeal to all of you to join my mission, to help India breathe. Let us raise funds to support the Hemkunt Foundation-Ketto, which is working relentlessly to provide medical oxygen to Covid positive patients,” she explained.

“Remember, it doesn't matter how big or small the donation is because every single rupee counts! Come, let's help India breathe!” Sania added in her message.

Hardik and Krunal Pandya

India cricket team and Mumbai Indians all-rounders Hardik and Krunal Pandya donated 200 oxygen concentrators in rural parts of India.

The Baroda-based cricketers also expressed their gratitude towards the Covid-19 frontline warriors.

"We all understand the difficulty that our country is undergoing at this period of time. Gratitude to all the medical staff, frontline workers and all the individuals who have come out and held their hands at such times to fight out the battle. Krunal, myself and my mother - basically our entire family, we were finding ways at trying to help out," Hardik told Star Sports.

"We decided to donate 200 oxygen concentrators to the rural parts of India where I feel the medical infrastructure needs more support. We all understand it's difficult, we want to show our gratitude, support and just want to tell everyone that they're always there in our prayers," Pandya added.

Ajinkya Rahane

India Test crickte team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane donated 30 Oxygen concentrators to Mission Vayu, an initiative for the Covid-19 patients in Mumbai.

He was also thanked by Mahratta Chamber of Commerce for his donation for the cause.

Jaydev Unadkat

Rajasthan Royals and Saurashtra fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat donated 10 per cent of his IPL 2021 salary to help those affected by the Covid-19 second wave.

He also urged people to get vaccinated as soon as possible and made an appeal to come forward and help everyone in these testing times.

"Our country is going through a lot of distress and for that matter, I know how privilege we are in this position to play cricket. I also know how painful a personal loss can be and worrying it can be to witness your close ones fighting for their lives," Unadkat said in a social media video.

PV Sindhu

Rio 2016 silver medallist PV Sindhu also came to the fore and donated INR 5 lakh each to the Chief Minister’s Relief Funds of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to fight the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

She took to Twitter to announce her gesture for the states.

Neeraj Chopra

Tokyo-bound javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra donated INR 2 lakhs to the Prime Minister's PMCares fund and INR 1 lakh to the Haryana state relief fund to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.