Former Indian cricketer, the 46-year-old Martin has been on ventilator support after a two-wheeler accident on December 28. As the cost of treatment is prohibitive, the family needs monetary help. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, under whose captaincy Jacob Martin made his India debut in September 1999, has joined the effort to put the Baroda stalwart back on his feet.
Ranji Trophy winning former Baroda captain is currently on life support after meeting with a deadly road accident. His wife had written to the BCCI seeking help. While the top board has sanctioned INR 5 lakhs, the Baroda Cricket Association has also come forward and sanctioned an amount of Rs 3 lakhs.
The cricket fraternity is coming together to provide support to Martin’s family after their appeal. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has also joined the bandwagon and has assured all help possible to the family.
Martin had played 10 ODIs for India besides that Martin captained Baroda to victory in the Ranji Trophy (2000-2001 season). “Martin and I have been teammates and I remember him as a quiet, introvert-type of person. While praying for Martin’s speedy recovery, I’d like his family to know that they don’t stand alone,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
Former secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India and Baroda Cricket Association Sanjay Patel was among the first one who came forward to support Martin’s family, he also contacted friends in the cricket fraternity requesting help.
Patel also received assurance from Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, who is currently in New Zealand with the rest of the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series. Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and former Indian cricketer Munaf Patel have also come forward to help Martin’s family.
“It’s overwhelming that Zaheer Khan, Yusuf and Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Sourav and Ravi, among others, have come forward to extend a helping hand in this time of distress for Martin’s family,” said Patel as quoted by The Telegraph.
Martin played 10 ODIs for the national team, five games under Ganguly’s captaincy and another five under Sachin Tendulkar’s leadership. He played 138 First-class matches scoring 9192 runs. He played for Baroda and Railways in the domestic circuit also leading Baroda to their first Ranji title in the 2000-2001 season.
