Sourav Ganguly, under whose captaincy Jacob Martin made his India debut in September 1999, has joined the effort to put the Baroda stalwart back on his feet.
The 46-year-old Martin has been on ventilator support after a two-wheeler accident on December 28. As the cost of treatment is prohibitive, the family needs monetary help. Seeking financial assistance is usually a sensitive matter, but Martin’s family gave the go-ahead to Sanjay Patel, a former secretary both of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Baroda Cricket Association, to request friends for help. The cricket fraternity is coming together to provide support to Martin’s family after their appeal. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has also joined the bandwagon and has assured all help possible to the family.
According to Patel, India’s head coach Ravi Shastri, who landed in New Zealand with Virat Kohli and Co. during the day, has also assured whatever assistance is required.
“It’s overwhelming that Zaheer Khan, Yusuf and Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Sourav and Ravi, among others, have come forward to extend a helping hand in this time of distress for Martin’s family,” Patel stated.
Patel informed that, for a limited period of time, the doctors at the Sterling Hospital are weaning Martin off the ventilator. “Right now, it’s about all of us keeping fingers crossed,” Patel observed.
While the Board has come forward with Rs 5 lakh from the Benevolent Fund, much more needs to be done by the organisation.
