With the second COVID-19 wave wreaking havoc in the country, it was only a matter of time before the outbreak had this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in its grip.

The disappointing news of the postponement of IPL 2021 came on Tuesday (May 4) after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported in the bio-bubble of various franchises.

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As Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) rookie fast bowler Chetan Sakariya returned home, hoping to spend time with his family, he found that his father is admitted in a hospital due to Coronavirus complications.

Thanks to IPL, however, the left-arm pacer managed to earn some money that he could transfer to his family in this hour of need.

“I was lucky because I had received my part payment from Rajasthan Royals a few days ago. I straight away transferred money back home, and that is helping my family the most in my toughest time,” Sakariya told The Indian Express in an exclusive chat.

Sakariya, who impressed one and all with 7 scalps in as many games for RR, acknowledged that if it wasn't for IPL, he would have struggled to get his father's treatment done.

“People are saying stop IPL. I want to tell them something, I am the only bread earner in my family. Cricket is the only source of my earnings. I can give better treatment to my father because of the money I earned from IPL. Had this tournament not happened for a month, it would have been tougher for me. I come from a poor family, my father all his life drove tempo and because of IPL my whole life was about to change,” the 22-year-old said.

Like most IPL players, Sakariya wants the remaining IPL 2021 games to happen soon as the youngster has some dreams to fulfill.

“I am the only member in my community who has earned so much. My mother doesn’t know how many zeros are there in crores. Our first priority is to see my father back and then build that home. For that, IPL should happen,” he said.