"Thinking of my Indian friends at this horrific time" - Shane Warne's message for COVID-battered India

Australian spin legend Shane Warne is saddened by the state of affairs in India following the second wave of COVID-19 that has led to deep turmoil in the country.

As per official figures, India registered over four lakh new COVID-19 cases and 3,600 deaths in the last 24 hours.

On Tuesday, the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) was postponed indefinitely after multiple COVID-19 cases emerged in the tournament’s bio-bubble.

Taking to his official Twitter account, Warne wrote about India’s COVID-19 crisis:

“Thinking of my Indian friends at this horrific time. Please be safe and look after yourself and your families, so sad what’s happening in your wonderful country. Sending love and support.”

Warne was hugely popular in India during his playing days, and his on-field tussle with Sachin Tendulkar is legendary.

He also led the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to victory in the inaugural edition of the IPL back in 2008.

Thinking of my Indian friends at this horrific time. Please be safe and look after yourself and your families, so sad what’s happening in your wonderful country. Sending love and support ❤️

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 6, 2021

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder also urged Indians to unite in their battle against COVID-19. Holder, who played just one match for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) this season and picked up three wickets, wrote on Instagram:

“Sad that the tournament had to be postponed but always great playing in the @iplt20. To the people of India I urge you to keeping fighting this battle together and I wish you all the very best. @sunrisershyd until we meet again.”

Cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy's sister succumbs to COVID-19 two weeks after her mother’s death

In a sad development, India batswoman Veda Krishnamurthy’s sister succumbed to COVID-19. Veda lost her mother just a couple of weeks back and her sister was battling the virus since last month.

After her mother lost the battle to COVID, Veda had tweeted:

“Appreciate all the messages I have received about the loss of my Amma. As you can imagine my family is lost without her. We now pray for my sister. I have tested negative & appreciate if you can respect our privacy. My thoughts & prayers go out to those going through the same!”

Appreciate all the messages I have received about the loss of my Amma. As you can imagine my family is lost without her. We now pray for my sister. I have tested negative & appreciate if you can respect our privacy. My thoughts & prayers go out to those going through the same!!

— Veda Krishnamurthy (@vedakmurthy08) April 24, 2021

Veda has represented India in 48 ODIs and 76 T20s and has scored over 800 runs in both formats.