Why are Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers sporting RCB jersey with different names?

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are set to start their campaign in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Some of the top players like AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, David Warner among others will be taking the field. Apart from England, Australia and West Indies, the players from other countries will be playing for the first time almost six months due to COVID-19 enforced lockdown.

The IPL is also being played behind the closed doors and the frontline heroes were given a special tribute on the opening day. The RCB are now lauding the heroes during the pandemic in a special way. Their top players, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, will be wearing the jersey with the names Paritosh and Simranjeet on their back to thank them for their efforts during the lockdown.

Both the cricketers also changed their Twitter handles and put the names of these two COVID warriors paying tribute to them.

Who are Simranjeet and Paritosh?

AB de Villiers took to this official Twitter handle to praise Paritosh’s efforts during the pandemic. He started the project ‘Feeding from Far’ and fed meals with 2 needy during the lockdown across the nation. “I salute Paritosh,who started ‘Project Feeding from Far’ with Pooja & fed meals to 2 needy during the lockdown. I wear his name on my back this season 2 appreciate their challenger spirit,” his tweet read.

I salute Paritosh,who started ‘Project Feeding from Far’ with Pooja & fed meals 2 needy during the lockdown. I wear his name on my back this season 2 appreciate their challenger spirit

Share your #MyCovidHeroes story with us#WeAreChallengers #RealChallengers#ChallengeAccepted

— Paritosh Pant (@ABdeVilliers17) September 20, 2020

As for Simranjeet, hearing-impaired, raised donations for poor people suffering during the pandemic. He managed to raise a whopping amount of Rs 98,000 for needy. “Simranjeet Singh, a hearing-impaired but that did not stop him from helping others in the pandemic. He approached people to raise donations for the poor suffering in the pandemic and many hearing-impaired individuals agreed.

“These individuals weren’t from any particular organisation and they selflessly donated funds. Simranjeet Singh along with his friends raised Rs 98,000 to help people,” RCB had said in its statement. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded both the cricketer for their wonderful gesture towards the COVID Heroes and was delighted to see sport spreading the message of humanity.

Massive respect for Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers who will have names of #CovidHeroes on their jerseys for the IPL season. Sport spreading the message of humanity and generosity is the need of the hour and who better than these two ambassadors of our game to do that. pic.twitter.com/HhnUzG3OCh

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 21, 2020