India tour of England: India squad observes minute's silence, pays homage to Ahmedabad plane crash victims
India players and staff ahead of the intra-Squad Test in Beckenham (Image via X/@BCCI)
In light of the recent tragedy in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the Indian team in England observed a minute's silence to pay their respects to the lives lost in the airplane crash on Thursday, June 12.
The BCCI released pictures of the players and members of support staff paying homage to the victims of the accident. The players and staff also donned black armbands in solidarity with the families of the victims.
"The players and members of support staff involved in the intra-squad game in Beckenham are wearing black armbands," the BCCI said in a post on X. "A minute's silence was also observed today to pay homage to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash, as a mark of respect for the lives lost and solidarity with the affected families," read the post.
India head coach Guatam Gambhir played no part in the intra-Squad Test in preparation for the five-match Test series against England after the 43-year-old's mother suffered a heart attack on June 11. Gambhir left the squad on June 12, to be with his mother in this difficult time.
Tragedy struck Air India flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick in London, when the plane crashed shortly after take-off, claiming the lives if 241 out of 242 passengers that were onboard.
Several prominent names in cricket expressed their condolences and prayers to the families of those that were affected by the incident.
The Indian squad and staff observed a minute's silence ahead of the intra-Squad Test in Beckenham (Image via X/@BCCI)
Ahead of the WTC Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's, the sides observed a minute's silence and wore black armbands to commemorate the lives lost in the tragic incident.
Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy
In preparation for the five-Test series against England, which also marks the commencement of a new era in Indian cricket and a new era under skipper Shubman Gill, the Indian squad will play a four-day intra-Squad Test in Beckenham, Kent. The warm-up game will be the only match the senior team will play ahead of the England series.
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