Why Indian players wearing black armbands in WTC Final 2021 vs New Zealand in Southampton?

Indian players wearing black armbands: The Indian cricketers are seen wearing black armbands at the Ageas Bowl today.

During the final match of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship between India and New Zealand in Southampton, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has won the toss and chose to field under overcast conditions.

Much like Williamson, India captain Virat Kohli also wanted to field first to make the most of the prevailing weather conditions at the Ageas Bowl.

Talking about the Playing XIs for both the teams, New Zealand have included as many as five pace-bowling options in Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme.

India, on the other hand, have refrained themselves from making any changes to the Playing XI which they had announced on the eve of the match despite there being a logical reason for playing a four fast bowling options.

Why Indian players wearing black armbands in WTC Final 2021 vs New Zealand?

Indian cricketers, who are playing their first-ever neutral Test match, are clearly seen wearing black armbands today. It is worth mentioning that the black armbands have been worn as a mark of respect for former India track and field sprinter Milkha Singh who passed away due to post-COVID complications last night.

Fondly known as Flying Sikh, Singh had lost his wife and former India volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur due to the similar post-COVID complications last week.

Singh, 91, has left behind three daughters and a son (illustrious golfer Jeev Milkha Singh). Initially hospitalized in Fortis Hospital (Mohali), Singh was subsequently shifted to PGIMER (Chandigarh) where he breathed his last.

Starring Farhan Akhtar in a titular role, a biopic on Singh titled ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ was directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra in 2013.