Tribute to Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims by England and India Players

In a heartfelt tribute, players from England and Team India observed a minute of silence and wore black armbands to honor the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff, claimed numerous lives, including Indian nationals and citizens from the UK, Canada, and Portugal. This solemn moment took place before the first Test match at Headingley, Leeds, highlighting the emotional impact of the tragedy on the cricketing community and beyond. Rishabh Pant, the vice-captain of Team India, expressed the nation's grief and commitment to uplift spirits in the wake of this disaster.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 20, 2025, 16:20 IST

Moment of Silence for Air India Crash Victims

Players from both England and Team India donned black armbands and observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. This solemn moment took place before the first Test match of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20.

On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was set to depart from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport in London. The flight was reportedly carrying 242 individuals, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a hostel belonging to BJ Medical College in the Meghani area.

The flight took off at 1:38 PM, but just five minutes later, it collided with the hostel, resulting in a catastrophic explosion and fire. It is feared that 241 individuals, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, lost their lives in this disaster. However, one Indian-origin UK citizen managed to survive this devastating incident, which resonated deeply not only in India but around the globe.

Players Unite in Tribute

Prior to the commencement of Day 1 of the first Test at Headingley, players from both teams gathered at the center of the field alongside match officials to observe a minute of silence in memory of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims.

The audience at Headingley also participated in this moment of reflection, creating a somber atmosphere to honor those who perished in the tragedy. The decision to wear black armbands was made by both teams as a sign of respect for the victims. A similar tribute was observed by players from South Africa and Australia during Day 3 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord's.

Global Shock and Grief

The Air India plane crash has sent shockwaves worldwide, leaving families in mourning and prompting expressions of solidarity from the international community.

According to Air India, the tragic incident claimed the lives of 169 Indian nationals, 53 UK citizens, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, marking it as one of the most devastating aviation disasters in recent Indian history.

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, while First Officer Clive Kundar had 1,100 hours of experience.

Emotional Response from Team India

During a press conference before the Headingley match, newly appointed vice-captain Rishabh Pant addressed the Ahmedabad plane crash. He expressed that the entire nation was grieving, acknowledging the heightened emotions following the tragedy.

"What happened on that flight has saddened the whole of India. Our focus now is on how we can uplift the nation again," Pant stated.

"Emotions will undoubtedly be high due to the crash, but we aim to put our best effort forward for our country," he added.

This match marks Team India's first international appearance since the tragic incident.