South Africa and Australia players are wearing black armbands during Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final to pay respects to the lives lost in Air India's tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday.
The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the lone survivor of the horrific crash who was sitting at 11-A, which was situated in a part of the plane that had landed on the ground floor of the building, which it had crashed into. Vishwash who is a British citizen of Indian origin, reportedly removed his seat belt and came out of the aircraft, adding that his left hand was burned when fire erupted.
Sports Tak understands that the players are gathering on the ground early. The teams will wear black armbands and have a moment's silence out on the ground while in fielding positions just before the first ball in order to pay respects to the lives lost in yesterday's tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
The flight crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in a residential doctors' hostel building soon after takeoff. The plane was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours.
Coming back to the match, the WTC final 2025 at Lord's Stadium has turned into a speedster's dream as both sides are battling through relentless pace and swing. Day 2 of the mega event belonged to Australia captain Pat Cummins, who tore apart South Africa's batting by picking a six-wicket haul, bowling them out for just 138 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 212. Australia started their day with a lead of 218 runs.