Cricket will pause briefly on Friday as India and England unite to honour the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Before the opening Test at Headingley, both teams will observe a minute’s silence and wear black armbands, paying a heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives.
The plane crash on June 12, involving a Boeing Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, left 274 people dead in one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent memory. Among the victims were 181 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens.
The upcoming tribute at Leeds during the India–England Test carries profound emotional weight on both sides, serving as a moment of shared mourning and remembrance for both nations still grappling with the loss.
Speaking ahead of India’s first Test against England, vice-captain Rishabh Pant reflected on the emotional impact of the June 12 air tragedy, which claimed 274 lives, including many Indian and British nationals. Pant acknowledged the nation’s collective grief and said that the team is determined to bring moments of joy to the public through their on-field efforts.
World Test Championship
The Test series will mark the beginning of a new era for both teams, as it kicks off their respective World Test Championship cycles. For Team India, the series is particularly important as the side turns towards the end of a decade with senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin stepping away from the format.
Shubman Gill is set to lead India in Tests for the first time, while Rishabh Pant will serve as his vice-captain.
