XtraTime Web Desk: Former greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev Nikhanj have pledged their support to Indian Cricketers Association’s (ICA) initiative to support 30 struggling cricketers during the nationwide lockdown. The ICA has so far raised Rs 39 lakhs to help the former cricketers who are in serious needs of funds. "Big names like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Gautam Gambhir and Gundappa Viswanath have joined us and that is a major boost to our initiative. A corporate from Gujarat has also offered its support," Ashok Malhotra told PTI. It has been learnt that likes of Gavaskar, Dev and Gambhir have also made financial contributions to the cause. Anothr former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin too had pledged his financial support earlier this week. The ICA will continue to accept donations till May 15, following which it will shortlist 5-6 cricketers from each zone (north, east, west, south and central). "Cricketers who don't have jobs, who don't get pension from the BCCI or their respective state associations will be offered help," Malhotra had said earlier. The ICA has contributed Rs 10 lakh to the initiative. As many as 1750 former cricketers are registered with the ICA, India's first-ever players' association which came into being last year.

Indian Cricketers Association gets a huge boost for their initiative. Find how?