IND vs ENG: Why are India and England players wearing black armbands during the 1st test at Headingley, Leeds

Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first in first IND vs ENG test at Headingley, Leeds.

The Indian Cricket Team and the England Cricket Team are locking horns with each other in the first game of the five-match test series. The game between the two teams is taking place at the Headingley in Leeds, which commenced on Friday (20th June). 

England and India enter the series on the back of solid preparations. Both teams put in the hard yards and made sure that they start the series with no stone left unturned in the build-up. With the kind of players both teams have, it promises to be an exciting series. 

While the cricketing side is apart, both England and India also come up with a heartwarming gesture. The players of both teams are wearing black armbands on day one of the ongoing Headingley test to pay their tribute to the people who lost their lives in the horrific Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. 

Not only this, before the national anthems, all the players as well as fans observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the plane crash in Ahmedabad. Over 240 people lost their lives in a horrific flight crash that was scheduled to go from Ahmedabad to London. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released the official statement, saying that their thoughts are with all those who got affected in the Air India plane crash. Taking to their Twitter handle, they stated: 

“Both teams will wear black armbands today as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash. Out thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible events that took place in Ahmedabad last week.” 

BCCI also posted about the same, saying: “The Indian Cricket Team and the England Cricket Team observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash ahead of the start of play on Day 1 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. The teams are wearing the black armbands to express solidarity with those affected. The teams offer their deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who tragically lost their lives.”

Sai Sudharsan makes debut for India in first test against England

Coming to the Match, England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to field first. Both teams have gone in with the same combination of three front-line pacers and one spinner, along with one fast bowling all-rounder. 

For India, Sai Sudharsan is making his debut while Karun Nair is making his return to the XI after a long gap of eight years, having last played in March 2017. The right-hander will be batting at six. While Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are three front-line pacers, Shardul Thakur is the seam bowling all-rounder.

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