Day One of the much-anticipated Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Headingley began on a somber note as players from both India and England observed a moment’s silence and wore black armbands in memory of those who tragically lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last week.
The symbolic gesture, led by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), reflected the shared grief across nations after more than 240 people—many of them Indian and British nationals—perished when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel just moments after take-off. The incident left only one survivor.
The stadium, usually a theatre of vibrant Test match energy, stood still in tribute as players and officials bowed their heads before the national anthems. “Both teams will wear black armbands on Day 1 of the Test match as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash,” the ECB had announced earlier. “A moment’s silence will be observed prior to the respective national anthems.”
In the pre-match press conference, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant acknowledged the nation’s collective heartbreak and stressed the team’s emotional commitment heading into the series. “What happened in the aircraft crash, I think the whole India was disheartened,” Pant said. “But at the same time, we are going to be sticking with them. How we can make India happy again—that’s the only thing from our side.”
Pant went on to reflect on the emotional weight the players carry during such times. “The emotion is going to be high because of what happened in the crash, but at the same time, we are going to put our best foot forward for the country. That’s an added responsibility always.”
In moments of national tragedy, cricket in India has often been more than a game—it becomes a symbol of resilience, unity, and hope. Pant echoed this sentiment. “You want to make India happy all the time but as a cricketer it’s not possible all the time. What I can promise from our side is we are going to put our best foot forward and we are going to give our 200%, and in that process we are going to make India a lot happier place.”
