Indian players wear black armbands and observe a minute of silence to honor plane crash victims ahead of warm-up match

Before the four-day intra-squad warm-up game between India and India A, the Indian cricket team observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner (flight AI171), carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Out of the 242 people on board, only one survived, while 241 lost their lives.

Currently touring England for a five-match Test series, Team India participated in this crucial simulation match ahead of the first Test at Headingley on June 20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared photos on X showing players wearing black armbands and observing the silence as a mark of respect and solidarity with the victims’ families.

The intra-squad game holds added importance as Team India is in a transition phase in red-ball cricket. With 360 overs to be bowled over four days, this match will give bowlers much-needed practice and allow the management to closely evaluate player performances to finalize the best combination for the opening Test.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir was absent from the warm-up game as he returned to India on Friday due to a family emergency. Reports confirmed that Gambhir had to be with his mother, who was hospitalized in New Delhi. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate took charge of the team during Gambhir’s absence, supported by bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.