Revealed: Why Australia, South Africa players are wearing black armbands in WTC Final?

South Africa and Australia players have paid heartfelt tribute to the victims of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 before the play of Day 3 of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 (WTC Final 2025) begins at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

In a powerful moment of solidarity, players from both the South African and Australian teams wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence at Lord’s to honor the victims of the tragic Air-India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives.

South Africa and Australia players pay tribute to the victims of the horrific Air India crash

As the tragic incident has shaken the entire world, the players, officials, and fans mourned and observed silence to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in one of India’s most tragic air tragedies before Matthew Hayden rang the iconic bell to resume play at the Lord’s.

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🖤 BLACK ARMBANDS IN RESPECT! 🙏
◾Players from Australia and South Africa are wearing black armbands on Day 3 of the #WTCFinal!
◾Tribute to the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad!
◾One-minute silence observed before play!#AUSvSA #WTC25 #SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/tD7zuSbhtW

— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) June 13, 2025

India’s deadliest air tragedy

In a heartbreaking incident, a London-bound Air India flight crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had 242 people on board, including passengers and crew, when it suddenly lost control and burst into flames shortly after departure.

Except for Viswashkumar Ramesh, nobody survived India’s deadliest plane crash. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the UK, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian. Sadly, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also among those who lost their lives in the crash.

The aircraft crashed into a residential section and the mess hall of the B. J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, just 3 km from the runway, instantly killing several doctors, medical students, and people on the ground apart from those who were on the flight.

Over 290 body bags were recovered as the site turned into a scene of unimaginable devastation. This was the first fatal crash involving an Air India Dreamliner and the worst aviation disaster in India since the 1996 mid-air collision over Charkhi Dadri.

Read Also: Babar Azam signs with new team after PCB ends his T20I career

Mitchell Starc frustrates Proteas as Australia builds big lead

Meanwhile, speaking about the WTC Final, the Australians are taking the game away from South Africa as they have already taken a 250-run lead at Lord’s. Mitchell Starc has yet again shone with the bat, as the Proteas bowlers are struggling to get that final wicket at Lord’s.

Earlier in the match, Australians were at 144 for 8 and have taken a strong 218-run lead over South Africa at the end of Day 2 in the final. South Africa’s pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi were outstanding with the ball, taking three wickets each to keep the Proteas side in the game.

However, Australia still holds the upper hand thanks to their early first-innings dominance. Earlier in the day, South Africa were bowled out for just 138 runs, with Australian captain Pat Cummins finishing with the stunning figures of 6 for 28.

Well, Australia is trying to defend their WTC trophy that they won after beating India in the 2023 final. On the other hand, South Africa is hoping to win its first ICC title since 1998.

Read Also: Indian cricketers wear black armbands in emotional tribute to Ahmedabad plane crash victims