India And England Cricketers Wear Black Armbands To Honour Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims

Players of both the India and England teams wore black armbands on day one of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy first Test at Headingley. They paid tribute to the victims who lost their lives in the Ahmedabad plane crash last week.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said a moment’s silence was held before the national anthems.

“Both teams will wear black armbands on Day 1 of the Test match as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash last week in Ahmedabad,” said the ECB.

“A moment’s silence will be observed prior to the respective national anthems. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible events that took place in Ahmedabad last week,” it added.

On 12 June, more than 240 people died when an Air India flight crashed just after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Most of the victims were Indian and British citizens.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to Gatwick Airport in London. The aircraft crashed into the hostel of BJ Medical College located just outside the airport. Only one person survived the tragic incident.

We’ll try to make India smile again: Pant

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant addressed the tragedy during a pre-series press conference. He said the players would try to lift the nation’s spirits through their performance.

“What happened in the aircraft, I think the whole India was disheartened. But we are going to be sticking with them and try to make India happy again,” he said.

He added, “The emotion is going to be high, but we are going to put our best foot forward. We want to give our 200% and in that process make India a lot happier place.”

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