Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa began on a solemn note at Lord’s, London, as players and fans observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Both teams wore black armbands in a symbolic gesture of mourning and solidarity.
The tribute came in light of Thursday’s devastating crash of Air India flight AI171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London with 242 people onboard, including 169 Indian nationals and over 50 British nationals. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, causing the deaths of all passengers and crew members. The plane also hit a residential area—Atulyam Flats, housing BJ Medical College staff—where over 75 locals also lost their lives, taking the confirmed death toll to 317.
The incident deeply resonated with the cricketing fraternity, especially as many of the victims were London-bound passengers. The presence of a significant number of British nationals (51 or 52 as per initial reports) only underscored the emotional weight of the moment, particularly with the final being played in the UK.
Before play began, former cricketer Matthew Hayden rang the ceremonial bell at Lord’s. As players stepped onto the field—Mitchell Starc smiling, the South Africans huddled—the stadium paused in grief. Silence enveloped the ground as players and spectators alike paid tribute.
Australia, currently 145/8 in their second innings, lead South Africa by 219 runs. But for a brief moment, cricket took a backseat to humanity.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash