'Are you with me?': Yuvraj Singh asks fans to light diyas, pledges to donate Rs 50 lakh to PM-CARES Fund

After facing criticism for supporting former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi's foundation, Yuvraj Singh on Sunday pledged to donate Rs 50 lakh to PM-CARES Fund to help the country in its fight against coronavirus.

The former Indian cricketer also urged people to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to light 'diyas' and candles tonight at 9 pm tonight for nine minutes.

Singh took to Twitter and wrote: "We are stronger when we stand united. I will be lighting a candle tonight at 9 pm for 9 minutes. Are you with me? On this great day of solidarity, I pledge Rs 50 lakhs to the #PMCaresFunds. Please do your bit too! @narendramodi #9pm9minutes #IndiaFightsCorona."

We are stronger when we stand united.

I will be lighting a candle tonight at 9pm for 9 minutes. Are you with me?

On this great day of solidarity, I pledge Rs. 50 Lakhs to the #PMCaresFunds. Please do your bit too!@narendramodi#9pm9minutes #IndiaFightsCorona

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 5, 2020

After the establishment of the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund by PM Modi, many Indian sports stars have come forward to contribute and help the country combat COVID-19.

Earlier, in a video message, PM Modi had asked citizens to turn all lights off in their houses at 9 pm on Sunday (April 5) and stand at their doors or windows with a candle, diya and torch for 9 minutes to show solidarity with each other in the battle against the COVID-19.

This move is in follow up to the 'Taali, Thali' event held on March 22, the day when 'Janata curfew' was observed throughout the country. 

As for COVID-19 positive cases in India, it rose to 3,374 on Sunday, as per the data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Out of these cases, 3030 are active cases, 267 have been cured or discharged, while 77 deaths have been reported so far in the country.

(Inputs from ANI)