Cricket took a solemn pause at Beckenham as players and support staff from both India and India A observed a minute’s silence before the start of their intra-squad match at the Kent County Cricket Ground. The tribute was in memory of those who tragically lost their lives in the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad on the afternoon of June 12.

In a poignant gesture of solidarity, players donned black armbands during the match—a symbol of collective mourning and national grief. The aviation tragedy, involving a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, sent shockwaves across the country. Just 33 seconds after take-off, the aircraft crashed into the hostel of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, leading to a horrific scene of devastation.

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The disaster claimed the lives of all 242 onboard and dozens on the ground, pushing the death toll to over 260—one of India’s worst aviation tragedies in recent memory. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the emotional moment on social media, with images of players standing in silence and uniting in sorrow.

The players and members of support staff involved in the intra-squad game in Beckenham are wearing black armbands.

A minute’s silence was also observed today to pay homage to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash, as a mark of respect for the lives lost and solidarity with… pic.twitter.com/u364pNdGyu

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 13, 2025

Australia and South Africa’s players were wearing black armbands and 2 minutes silence for Ahmedabad plane crash victims. pic.twitter.com/uYscsxr5jw

— Md Nagori (@Sulemannagori23) June 13, 2025

A similar tribute was also seen at Lord’s on Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between Australia and South Africa, where both teams paid their respects with black armbands and a minute’s silence.

The intra-squad red-ball game was scheduled by BCCI as a preparatory fixture ahead of India’s five-Test series against England, with most players transitioning from the recently concluded IPL 2025. India A recently played a two-match Test series against the England Lions—both matches ended in draws but featured promising performances.

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Now, all eyes turn to the high-stakes series opener at Headingley on June 20. With stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having stepped away from Test duties, the spotlight is on young talents such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Karun Nair. This series marks India’s first assignment in the 2025–27 WTC cycle, and for many of these players, it’s more than just a tour—it’s a chance to make their case on the biggest red-ball stage.