Written By: Jeet Banerjee | Updated: Jun 21, 2025, 8:54 AM
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England and India players were seen wearing black armbands on the opening day of the five-match Test series at Headingley.
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The first Test of the five match series between India and England is being played at Headingley, Leeds. India has been in a new era after the retirement of the seniors, Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill is the new captain with Sai Sudharsan making his debue and Karun Nair, who is back in the team after eight years. Gill batting at No.4 whereas Rishabh Pant has filled in at No.5.
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England, on their part, headed by Ben Stokes released their playing XI one day prior to the game. Jacob Bethell was not selected and Ollie Pope came into the No.3 position and Shoaib Bashir kept his spot. Stokes called correctly in the toss and opted to bowl first on what looked to be good overhead conditions in Headingley.
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Both teams sported black arm bands prior to kick-off in honour of the victims who lost their lives in a tragic accident involving an Air India flights AI 171, before the match. The aircraft was on a trip to Gatwick, London and crashed immediately after takeoff, killing a total of 275 people on board of the aircraft and 34 others on the ground. The teams also had a moments silence before singing the national anthem in memory of the dead.
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The BCCI released a statement describing what the black armbands were, and why the moment of silence was observed. "The Indian Cricket Team and the England Cricket Team observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash ahead of the start of play on Day 1 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. The teams are wearing the black armbands to express solidarity with those affected. The teams offer their deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who tragically lost their lives.
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India was in a comfortable position at day 1, stumps with 359 for 3. Yashasvi Jaiswal got the proceedings started in perfect style with an outstanding century up top, only to be followed a calm hundred of his own by an equally composed captain, Shubman Gill coming in at No.4. Their personal brilliance saw India get into a tight grasp of the match as it was an excellent beginning of the team in a new leadership regime.
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Newcomer Sai Sudharsan had a disastrous debut to his Test career, scoring a duck following a good 91-run opening partnership. Nonetheless, the momentum was continued because the vice-captain of India, Rishabh Pant, played a mature and fluid innings. He finished the day without being bowled out of 65 runs keeping India deeply rooted to the advantage they may want to capitalise on in Day 2.
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English
