New Delhi: Leading Indian cricketers including skipper Virat Kohli, opener Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and coach Ravi Shastri appealed to the citizens to observe "Janata curfew", a precautionary initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to combat the rapidly rising coronavirus pandemic.

Modi had appealed to citizens to follow "Janta curfew" on March 22 in the view of novel coronavirus outbreak.

Shikhar Dhawan took to Twitter to write: "Our respected PM @narendramodi Ji has requested all to adhere to the Janta Curfew on 22nd March by staying home. Stay safe you all and take care @PMOIndia #JantaCurfew #IndiaFightsCorona."


"I am seeking one more support from every countrymen today. This is a public curfew. Janta curfew means for the public, curfew imposed by the public on its own. Every citizen must follow Janta curfew on this Sunday, March 22, from 7 am to 9 pm," Modi said in his address to the nation.

India coach Ravi Shastri also asked people to observe Janta Curfew.

"Let's join hands with our PM @narendramodi and observe #JantaCurfew on March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm IST. We need to exhibit utmost restraint as a nation #IndiaFightsCorona @PMOIndia," Ravi Shastri tweeted.


Team India's seasoned opener KL Rahul also expresses his concern over the spread of COVID-19 and lauded the efforts being put in by the medical professionals in the country.

"These are testing times for all and I salute the work being done by our doctors, nurses and medical staff across the country. I urge everyone as responsible citizens to follow the measures put in place by the government. Be safe and alert. #IndiaFightsCorona," KL Rahul.