Tragic Air India Flight Crash in Ahmedabad: Cricket Community Mourns

Heartfelt Condolences from the Cricket Community

New Delhi, June 13: The Indian cricket community is in mourning following a tragic incident involving an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which was en route to London, went down at approximately 1:38 PM, carrying 242 individuals, including 12 crew members.

Ravindra Jadeja, an all-rounder from Gujarat, expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad today. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all those who lost their lives, including passengers, crew, and those on the ground. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this unimaginable loss.”

Deeply saddened by the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad today. My heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives, including passengers, crew, and those on the ground.

Thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this unimaginable loss

— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) June 12, 2025

Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently concluded his international cricket career, also shared his condolences, saying, “It’s heartbreaking to hear about the crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of those affected.”

Heartbreaking to hear about the crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of those affected

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) June 12, 2025

Young cricketer Tilak Varma also expressed his sorrow, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the news. My heartfelt prayers and strength go out to every family member during this difficult time.”

Mayank Agarwal shared his distress over the situation, saying, “The news and visuals coming from Ahmedabad are very disturbing. In such moments, words feel inadequate. All we can do is pray for the passengers, crew, and their families.”

The crash has cast a shadow of grief across the nation, with messages of support and condolences flooding in from the sports community and beyond.

The Air India flight, which had 242 individuals onboard, crashed into a doctors' hostel in the Meghani area shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

According to Air India, among the 230 passengers, there were 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national.

“Air India confirms that flight AI171, which was headed from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after takeoff. The flight departed at 1:38 PM and was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. The injured are being transported to nearby hospitals. We have also established a dedicated hotline, 1800 5691 444, for further information. Air India is fully cooperating with the authorities investigating this incident,” the airline stated.

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who has 8,200 hours of flying experience, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who has 1,100 hours. The aircraft made a Mayday call shortly after takeoff but failed to respond to subsequent communications from air traffic control.

After departing from Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter, with heavy black smoke reported at the site of the accident.