England team honours four Indian-origin doctors for COVID fight in Southampton Test

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) earlier decided to honour four Indian-origin doctors during the ongoing Test match between England and the West Indies at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The series has already been named ‘Raise the Bat’ to pay respect to the ones fighting in the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted the world to a significant extent.

The Three Lions’ cricket team players wore jerseys with names of the healthcare workers at the back. Dr. Vikas Kumar is one of the doctors and he works at the critical care unit of a National Health Service (NHS) Trust hospital at Darlington in Durham. Kumar’s name was featured on England skipper Ben Stokes’ jersey.

I was a cricket fan, and played for my medical college, says Vikas Kumar

Quite expectantly, the 35-year-old Kumar was over the moon after the stand-in Brits’ skipper wore the jersey. “It was overwhelming to see Stokes and others putting that message out. It’s been very difficult for all of us. NHS staff have made a lot of sacrifices. This recognition is for the entire medical fraternity, including my doctor friends in India,” Kumar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

To start with, Kumar graduated from Delhi University and then got his post-graduate diploma in anesthesia from Maulana Azad Medical College. In 2019, he shifted to England with his two-year-old son and his beloved wife.

He said that he had aspirations of becoming a cricketer and he played at the college level as well. However, since all his family members are from an education background, even he decided to become a doctor like his brothers.

“I was a cricket fan, and played for my medical college, but all my family members were into studies. So, I had to become a doctor like my brothers,” he added.

Kumar also got a message from Stokes, who thanked him for his relentless efforts in the pandemic situation. “Hi Vikas, a big thanks for everything you have done throughout this pandemic. I want to wish you a happy return to cricket, all the best mate, get as many runs and wickets as you can,” Stokes said.