Ahead of the opening match of the IPL2019, the BCCI has donated Rs. 20 crore to the CRPF and Armed forces on Saturday. The sum of rupees was donated from the fund allotted to host IPL opening ceremony. Apart from BCCI, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has also donated Rs. 2 crore to the Indian armed forces.

According to reports, a sum of Rs. 11 crore was contributed to the Indian Army, Rs. 7 crore to the CRPF and Rs. 1 crore each to the Navy and Air Force respectively from BCCI.

"BCCI empathises with those affected by the Pulwama attack and with the families of those martyred during the course of their duties. We respect and admire our armed forces and the CRPF," Sanjay Manjrekar said at the felicitation programme, where SC appointed BCCI Committee of Administrators (CoA) along with a few members of the armed forces were present.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni led CSK is taking on Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai in the opening match of the 12th season of IPL.