Royal Challengers Bangalore team-mates AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli have put up equipments — that were used during their historic partnership against Gujarat Lions in 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) — on auction in order to raise funds for fight against coronavirus pandemic.

De Villiers on Monday took to social media to upload images of the signed equipments and announced all the proceeds will go to both the countries in their respective fights against the ongoing crisis. The duo struck the highest-ever partnership in the history of the tournament when they put together 229 runs against Gujarat in 2016 IPL. Both the players slammed respective centuries during the course of the historic partnership.

“Cricket has given me many incredible memories -- and among the most precious stands the partnership with Virat Kohli, playing for RCB against Gujarat Lions in 2016,” de Villiers wrote on his Instagram account.

“Everything clicked on what was an unforgettable night in the IPL. The capacity crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium were going crazy and we we both scored centuries in a partnership of 229 off 96 balls. More importantly RCB won the match by 144 runs.

“Now we find ourselves in global crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic and Virat and I would like to help the people in need, people struggling to put food on the table.

“So we are putting some items from that special day in 2016 and creating one unique auction item. All money raised will be donated to charities supporting people most affected by the by the crisis, split 50/50 between charities working in South Africa and India,” he added.

Kohli also used the repost option to share de Villiers’ post onto his Instagram account for his followers to see and take part in the auction as well.

Meanwhile, the department of youth empowerment and sports of Karnataka goverment will be hosting an online chess tournament to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts, in association with United Karnataka Chess Association (UKCA) and Bengaluru-based Mobile Premier League (MPL).

The tournament will be held on May 2 and 3 on the MPL app and all proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the state relief fund for COVID-19.

Karnataka minister for youth empowerment and sports, CT Ravi said, “In these challenging times, it is essential that we remain strong and united. Today our common enemy is the coronavirus. It has taken away the lives of few and disrupted the livelihood of many.”

“I request the chess players of the nation to come forward and donate liberally to the cause in your own way and also challenge themselves to think, strategise and move and thereby checkmate COVID-19,” he added.

R Hanumantha, Secretary for the UKCA said, “We are greatly appreciative of the work done by the government and by MPL and for their cooperation on this matter. We will mobilise the chess community in Karnataka and other states to ensure this becomes a way to demonstrate solidarity and resilience.”

Indo-Asian News Service