The India and England cricket teams are set to wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence before the start of play in the first Test match at Headingley on Friday, June 20, 2025. This poignant gesture is to pay their respects to the victims of the recent tragic air disaster in Ahmedabad, India.
On June 12, 2025, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash claimed the lives of 274 people, including 181 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens. The aircraft crashed into a hostel block of B.J. Medical College, leaving only one survivor. The incident has sent shockwaves through both India and England and has been described as one of the deadliest air tragedies in recent times.
The decision for the teams to wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence is a mark of respect and solidarity with the families and loved ones of those who perished in the crash. It is a moment for both nations to come together in grief and remembrance.
Rishabh Pant, the vice-captain of the Indian team, expressed the team's deep sorrow and commitment to bringing joy back to the nation through their performance in the upcoming series. "What happened with the aircraft, the whole of India was saddened by it," Pant said. "The only thing from our side, we're going to be sticking to how we can make India happy again. The emotion is going to be high always because of what happened in the crash, but at the same time, we are going to put our best foot forward for the country. How we can make them happy is an added responsibility."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also shared images on social media of the Indian team observing a minute's silence and wearing black armbands during their intra-squad game in Beckenham ahead of the Test series.
The gesture by the Indian and English teams highlights how sports can transcend boundaries and serve as a platform for unity and remembrance in times of tragedy.
