Revealed: Why PBKS players are sporting black armbands during IPL 2026 clash against SRH Amanpreet Singh Gill death

Punjab Kings (PBKS) locked horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a high-stakes IPL 2026 encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Heading into the match as table-toppers, the Kings aimed to consolidate their lead in the standings. Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first, a tactical move intended to neutralize Hyderabad's notoriously aggressive batting lineup in the evening conditions.

PBKS players sports black armbands after Amanpreet Singh Gill's demise

While the competitive intensity was high, the match was also marked by a solemn gesture from the Punjab side. The PBKS players were seen wearing black armbands throughout the fixture as a tribute to former Punjab cricketer and senior selector Amanpreet Singh Gill. The cricket community mourned the sudden passing away of Gill earlier on May 6, at the young age of 36.

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Amanpreet Singh Gill was a respected figure in the region, having represented India Under-19s, the state of Punjab, and the Kings XI Punjab franchise during his playing days. Following his retirement from active play, he continued to serve the game with distinction as a member of the Senior Selection Committee. The Punjab Cricket Association honored his memory with a poignant tribute, acknowledging his years of dedicated service and passion for the sport.

All about Amanpreet Singh Gill

Amanpreet Singh Gill’s professional journey reached a pinnacle in 2009 when he secured his first and only IPL contract with the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). He remained a key part of the squad through the 2010 season, a formative era for the franchise. During this tenure, the talented pacer shared the dressing room and training facilities with some of the game's greatest legends, including Yuvraj Singh, Mahela Jayawardene, and Brett Lee, contributing to the team's early legacy.

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Punjab Kings (Playing XI):

Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
PBKS' Impact Sub: Arya, Brar, Bartlett, Musheer, Vinod

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI):

Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(w), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Smaran Ravichandran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins(c), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain
SRH's Impact Sub: Abhishek, Head, Kishan, Klaasen, Smaran, Salil, Nitish, Cummins, Shivang, Malinga, Sakib