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The five-match Test series between India and England began on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. England won the toss and opted to bowl first, sending a youthful Indian team in to bat under overcast conditions.

Why Did Players Wear Black Armbands?

In a poignant moment before the start of play, players from both India and England were seen wearing black armbands.

This was a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed the lives of more than 250 people

The crash also included casualties from England. This is the first international match for both teams since the incident, and the gesture served as a tribute to those who lost their lives.

The Indian Cricket Team and the England Cricket Team observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash ahead of the start of play on Day 1 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds.

The teams are wearing the black armbands to express solidarity with… pic.twitter.com/Guxf1aO8iJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 20, 2025

Among several young talents in the Indian squad, only Sai Sudarshan was handed a debut in the first Test.

The left-handed batter has been in remarkable form, finishing as the top run-scorer in IPL 2025 with 759 runs in 15 matches, earning him the Orange Cap. Sudarshan had already made his ODI debut against South Africa and impressed in the County Championship in England last year, further strengthening his claim for a place in the Test side.

India’s Playing XI for the 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.