The first Test between India and England at Headingley has been marked not only by thrilling cricket but also by a deep sense of collective mourning, as players and officials from both sides came together multiple times during the match to pay tribute to recent tragedies and lost legends.
India Vs England, 1st Test: Players Wear Black Armbands In Tribute To Late Dilip Doshi
India Vs England, 1st Test: On the final day, players observed a minute-long silence and wore black armbands to honour the memory of Dilip Doshi, the former India left-arm spinner who passed away in London on June 23, 2025, at the age of 77 due to heart-related complications
On the final day, players observed a minute-long silence and wore black armbands to honour the memory of Dilip Doshi, the former India left-arm spinner who passed away in London on June 23, 2025, at the age of 77 due to heart-related complications.
Doshi, who made his India debut in 1979 at the age of 32, defied the odds with a late but impactful entry into international cricket. Over the course of his career, he played 33 Tests and 15 ODIs, collecting 114 Test wickets and 22 ODI wickets. Renowned for his classical style and pin-point accuracy, he was also a giant in domestic cricket, with 898 wickets in 238 first-class matches, and enjoyed success in county cricket as well.
His passing prompted tributes from across the cricketing world, including from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian women’s team, which is currently on tour in England. Ahead of their warm-up match against the ECB Select XI, the women’s team also observed a minute of silence and wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
The Headingley Test had already seen earlier tributes. On Day 1, both teams and the crowd came together to honour the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash that occurred on June 12, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London crashed shortly after takeoff.
The crash claimed the lives of 181 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens, leaving a devastating impact felt deeply across both nations. Players wore black armbands and a moment of silence was observed as the cricketing world stood in solidarity with the grieving families.
The tone remained sombre on Day 3, as yet another figure of the cricketing fraternity was remembered — David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, the former England fast bowler, who passed away at the age of 61. Known for his pace and larger-than-life personality, Lawrence’s contribution to English cricket, both as a player and a community figure, was widely respected.
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