It's been a week since Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is suspended and the Indian cricketers have been doing their bit in promoting awareness, requesting people to strictly follow the COVID-19 protocols. Apart from this, beloved Indian cricketers are also receiving their vaccine jabs.
India captain Virat Kohli and co have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines before they leave for a tour of England next month. Most of the players had been playing in the 14th edition of the IPL, which was suspended indefinitely on May 4.
Here’s a list of Indian cricketers who have received the vaccine against the novel coronavirus so far:
Virat Kohli
Indian captain Virat Kohli received his first dose of vaccine on Monday. The Indian skipper returned home after the 14th edition of IPL was suspended indefinitely by the cricket board. After returning home, Kohli, along with his wife Anushka Sharma, also donated a sum of Rs 2 crore in India's fight against novel virus.
Ajinkya Rahane
India vice-captain Ajinya Rahane also took the jab on Saturday. Delhi Capitals on his social media shared a photograph of himself taking the vaccine against COVID-19. He urged the people, the ones eligible, to get the vaccine in an aim to stay safe and fight the outbreak.
R Ashwin
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is on a mission requesting countrymen to get vaccinated. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, the spin wizard spoke about the COVID-19 trouble that his family faced over the last few weeks and highlighted how vaccines are going to be vital to avoid another crisis situation in the country. Notably, Ashwin had taken a break from the IPL 2021 before the tournament was suspended on May 4.
Ishant Sharma
India pacer Ishant and his wife Pratima, a former India hoopster, also clicked a selfies in front of their vaccination centre. “Thankful for this and grateful for all the essential workers. Happy to see the smooth running of the facility & management. Let’s all get vaccinated at the earliest,” Ishant wrote on his twitter handle.
Shikhar Dhawan
India opener Shikhar Dhawan acknowledged frontline warriors as he received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. Delhi Capitals’ opener also requested everyone to get vaccinated to assist in the battle against the virus.
"Vaccinated. Can’t thank all our frontline warriors enough for their sacrifices and dedication. Please do not hesitate and get yourself vaccinated as soon as possible. It’ll help us all defeat this virus," he wrote on Twitter.
Deepak Chahar
Chennai Super Kings’ ace bowler Deepak Chahar also received the first jab of the COVID-19 on Monday while Siddharth Kaul also took his first dose.
“Got my first vaccine today. I urge you all to get vaccinated whenever and wherever you can. Very big thanks to our police and doctors and all the people working in Covid duties for taking care of us and full country,” Chahar captioned a picture on Instagram.
Covishield shots for Indian cricketers travelling the UK
The Indian players have a few weeks of stay with their family members after the IPL 14 suspended midway. This is a big break for Indian players before the long tour of England starting with the World Test Championship final from mid-June. The players have already started the inoculation in their respective premises. It has now been reported that the players will likely take Covishield shots ahead of their UK travel.
With the Indian government opening inoculations for everyone above the age of 18, the Indian cricketers also came in the window. With all the players out of the bubble that was created by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the IPL, they would have to get inoculated individually in their respective localities. Though it has been advised that the players should only get Covishield.
This is because Covihield is based on Oxford-the AstraZeneca vaccine (a UK product) they can get the second shot during the England series.
"It is advised that they take Covishield in India because it is based on the AstraZeneca vaccine, a UK product. They may get the second shot in UK. Getting a different vaccine here is of no use," a source was quoted as saying by TOI.
The vaccination rule says, people can only get the same vaccine shot for the second time. If one person has gotten a Covaxin shot, he/she is supposed to get the second shot of the same company. Hence, the Indian cricketers bound for UK tour are advised to take Covishield since they will be on the tour for over four months.
Meanwhile, Indian athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, including the men's and women's hockey teams, have also received their first shot of the vaccine.