Irfan Pathan Helps Out CSK's Official Cobbler Facing Financial Crisis Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

According to a report from ESPNCricinfo, Bhaskaran has been sitting on Wallajah Road in Chennai since 1993. In the last 12 years, he has worked as CSK’s official cobbler, and on the match days, he works from a small workstation outside the Players and Match Officials area.

Irfan Pathan

New Delhi: Former India fast bowler Irfan Pathan like many of the Indian cricketers have rendered yeoman service to the nation by helping out the poor and needy amid the global Covid-19 pandemic that has led to the economically backward citizens on the verge of a major financial crisis. The former pacer, along with his brother Yusuf Pathan, has been witnessed distributing masks, foods, packets, and medicines amid the lockdown in the past few months. In yet another humanitarian gesture with a noble cause, Irfan has managed to win hearts once again. Irfan donated a sum of Rs 25,000 to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) official cobbler R Bhaskaran, who was reportedly in a rather dismal financial condition, struggling to make ends meet with IPL getting postponed. According to a report from ESPNCricinfo, Bhaskaran has been sitting on Wallajah Road in Chennai since 1993. In the last 12 years, he has worked as CSK’s official cobbler, and on the match days, he works from a small workstation outside the Players and Match Officials area. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik, who has played with Irfan for India, applauded the former left-arm pacer for his gesture on Twitter and wrote: “Special stuff @IrfanPathan . Well done and to many more such small deeds of generosity from everyone.” “I got Rs 1,000 per match and CSK players took good care of me. At the end of the season, players and coaches would pool in and hand it over to me. Last year, I got around Rs 25,000, apart from what Dhoni gave me separately,” Bhaskaran was quoted as saying in the New Indian Express. “But this year, my sons are without any job and have their families now. I had some savings and managed with that. Had I known such a day will come, I would have saved more,” he added. “Last week Irfan Pathan sent some money (Rs 25,000). I bought groceries for the family. Since there was no work, I had borrowed money and have to pay it back. I don’t know how I will survive. If cricket doesn’t return soon, I will be gone,” he further said.