Motivated by Tendulkar, Maharashtra cricketer Hasabnis donates blood

Tejal Hasabnis, a young domestic cricketer from Pune, has responded to former Indian men's cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's plea by donating blood to support the nation's fight against Covid-19. Hasabnis, who plays for Maharashtra, recently donated her blood after being inspired by the message from Tendulkar.

"A few days ago, I read Sachin's sir blog and I saw his post on his birthday that he was requesting everyone to donate blood. So I did donate my blood and then I came to know the situation right now is very tough," she was quoted saying to ANI.

Hasabnis, who has also represented West Zone, was the part of India Green team in the Senior Women's Challenger Trophy in 2018-19. The right-handed batter has played 22 limited-over matches and 22 T20s as well in her domestic career.

"So then I started creating blood donation and plasma donation awareness through social media. I work for an NGO, and we are now together creating awareness about it. We (Hasabnis and the NGO) planned to create awareness for people to come forward and donate blood and plasma, as the situation is really worrisome due to COVID," added Hasabnis.

Earlier this week, Tendulkar had requested the public, who had recovered from COVID, to donate plasma to fight the once-in-a-generation pandemic via social media, to which Hasabnis responded with her gesture.

"I usually don't like to post about the social work I try to do, but through this article, I'd like to appeal to all the youngsters and my fellow women cricketers to donate blood, donate plasma and reach out to people in distraught and offer a helping hand," she concluded.