The Ahmedabad plane crash killed 241 passengers and crew on Air India Boeing 787-8 plane.
In observance of the victims of last week's Air India airline accident in Ahmedabad, India, and England players wore black armbands on the first day of the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on June 20, 2025.
Shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed for London crashed into a hostel complex on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew members, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Vishwas Kumar was one of the passengers who survived the terrible event.
England Cricket took to social media and confirmed, "Both teams will wear black armbands today as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible events that took place in Ahmedabad last week."
“A perfectly observed minute's silence. This morning, we remember those lost in the tragic Air India crash last week,” they posted on X.
The BCCI also took to social media and posted: “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.”
Ben Stokes, the captain of England, chose to bowl against India after winning the toss. Sai Sudharsan became the 317th Test player for India. India legend Cheteshwar Pujara gave the 23-year-old southpaw his first Test cap. For the first time in eight years, Karun Nair, a once-forgotten talent, returned to the Indian squad.
India Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
England Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir