BGT 2024-25: Why are Indian players wearing black armbands on day 2 of the MCG test?

The Indian players donned black armbands on Friday at the MCG.

The Indian cricket team players walked out in the MCG arena wearing black armbands on day 2, which is Friday, of the ongoing fourth BGT 2024-25 test.

The MCG test resumed with Australia taking control of the proceedings. The hosts had finished day 1 at 311/6.

Steve Smith, who was 68*, continued on his overnight rhythm and notched up his 34th test century, already the second most by an Australian batsman. This was his 11th test ton against India, and now he holds the record for the most test centuries against India, going past Joe Root’s tally of 10.

Smith’s 140 remained the top score in Australia’s first innings that also had three other half-centuries, from the bats of Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschange. Captain Pat Cummins contributed with 49 runs as well. Australia finished their first innings at the MCG at 474.

BGT 2024-25: Why are Indian players wearing black armbands on day 2 of the MCG test?

The BCCI confirmed that the Indian cricketers wore black armbands on Friday at the MCG to honour former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday.

The BCCI tweeted, “The Indian Cricket Team is wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh who passed away on Thursday.”

Manmohan Singh died in Delhi on Thursday after a prolonged illness, at the age of 92.

Meanwhile, at the MCG, India have had a poor start to their first innings as captain Rohit Sharma has been dismissed for only three runs by Pat Cummins.

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