Revealed: Why are India players wearing black armbands in 1st ODI against Sri Lanka?

Team India, on Friday (August 2), paid tribute to Anshuman Gaekwad by wearing black armbands during the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Anshuman Gaekwad passed away on Wednesday, aged 77 after battling with blood cancer. The former India cricketer recently returned to India after undergoing treatment in London. While Anshuman Gaekwad was in London, former India skipper Kapil Dev had revealed that his former teammate and his family were struggling financially and sought assistance from the BCCI.

The BCCI immediately announced INR 1 crore for Anshuman Gaekwad's treatment. The former batsman then returned to India and was admitted to the Bhailal Amin General Hospital in Vadodara.

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Tributes have been pouring in from all quarters for Anshuman Gaekwad and Team India also made sure to do the same. The players wore black armbands in memory of the former cricketer as they took the field for the first ODI against Sri Lanka.

Team India is wearing black armbands today in memory of former Indian cricketer and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad, who passed away on Wednesday.

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Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987. He scored 1985 runs in Tests with the help of 2 centuries and 10 fifties. In ODIs, Gaekwad scored 269 runs including one half-century. After his playing career was over, he served as a selector and the coach of the national team.

Rohit Sharma's tribute for Anshuman Gaekwad:

Earlier on Thursday, India captain Rohit Sharma paid tribute to Anshuman Gaekwad, saying that he was absolutely devastated to learn the news of his death. Speaking to the media on the eve of the first ODI, the veteran batsman said:

"I was absolutely devastated to hear that news. I was lucky to have a few conversations with him during the BCCI awards, and on a personal note as well. When I was playing Ranji Trophy, he was there and I had a chance to speak to him when he had a few things to talk about my game as well, which was overwhelming for me because he was such a great cricketer for us."