WTC 2023 Final: Why are India and Australia players wearing black armbands?

India team celebration. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Ahead of the eagerly-anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 Final, players of both Australia and team India were seen wearing black armbands. The players were seen wearing it on their left sleeve to stand in solidarity with the victims who lost their lives in Odisha’s deadly triple-train crash.

In addition to this, the players also observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims just prior to the national anthems. The deadly train collision took place on Friday, June 2 that killed over 250 people in Balasore district of Odisha. Furthermore, the BCCI released an official statement on that regard and mourned the death of the lives lost.

“The team mourns the deaths and offers its deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who tragically lost their lives,” the BCCI said in a statement.