Three years ago, Dr. Vikas Kumar was appointed as the ‘Doctor on Duty’ at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi for the India-Sri Lanka Test match. On Wednesday morning, the 35-year-old Doctor had his dream come true moment when he found his name on the back of an England ersey.
Well, as the International cricket resumed after a gap of 117 days, Dr.Vikas Kumar’s name was among those featured on England jersey’s shirts, to honor the health workers, who have been working at the forefront of the Coronavirus fight.
Dr. Vikas Kumar works at the critical care unit of a National Health Service (NHS) Trust hospital at Darlington in Durham. He has been nominated by cricket clubs in England as a part of their Raise The Bat campaign. As per him, the topping on the treat was when his name featured on the jersey won by none other than Ben Stokes.
Talking about the same, Dr. Vikas Kumar said:
“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,”
Dr. Vikas, who is a Delhi University alumni and has completed his post-graduate diploma in anaesthesia from Maulana Azad Medical College, also revealed that he used to play cricket during his medical days. He revealed:
“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,”
Dr. Kumar got a heart-warming video message from Stokes:
“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.”
Dr Vikas Kumar is one of the key worker heroes whose name featured on the England Men’s training shirts today for day 1 of the #raisethebat Test Series
Watch Vikas view a message from fellow Durham-local Ben Stokes who wore his name with pride today? https://t.co/rQw1yVvynF
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) July 8, 2020
Apart from Dr. Vishwas Kumar, the names of three other Indian-origin health-workers — Dr Jamasp Kaikhusroo Dastur from Norwich, and Harikrishna Shah and physiotherapist Krishan Aghada from Leicester — were also featured at the back of cricketer’s shirts for the ongoing series against West Indies.
Dr. Jamasp Kaikhusroo Dastur from Norwich, whose name was showcased by Jos Buttler, revealed that as a tribute to his father, who died last year, he asked the cricketer to add his name as well. He revealed:
“My love for cricket owes much to my grandfather and father. I lost my father Kaikhusroo last year and as a tribute, I asked his name to be added,”
