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Rishabh Pant Mourns Ahmedabad Tragedy, Vows Team India Will Uplift the Nation’s Spirits
Emotional Message Ahead of India vs England Test Series After Devastating Air India Crash
In a moment when the Indian cricket fraternity gears up for the high-stakes five-match Test series against England, the nation is reeling from a tragic aviation disaster that has left deep emotional scars. A London-bound Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad, claiming 241 lives in one of the deadliest accidents in Indian aviation history.
Rishabh Pant Pays Tribute: “Whole Country Is Disheartened”
Black Armbands, Silence, and Grief at Intra-Squad Game
As India prepares to return to red-ball cricket, the national squad honored the victims by wearing black armbands during an intra-squad warm-up match. The tragic loss has overshadowed cricketing excitement, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant sharing a heartfelt message ahead of the first Test.
“The whole country is disheartened. What we can do is put our best foot forward and make the country happy,”
Pant told The Times of India, emphasizing how the team sees its duty not just in competition, but in offering emotional strength during national crises.
Pant’s words reflect a broader sentiment among Indian players, many of whom took to social media expressing grief and solidarity with the bereaved families.
Read how India paid tribute during the practice match
Nation in Shock: The Ahmedabad Air India Flight Disaster
The incident occurred last week when a London-bound Air India aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad. All 241 passengers and crew onboard were killed, making it one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent times. The crash has drawn global condolences, with various cricket boards and international players sending their support to India.
This horrific event has put the spotlight on aviation safety in India, with investigations already underway by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Visit the official DGCA site for investigation updates
Team India’s First Test After Kohli-Rohit Era: Who Will Make the XI?
New Era Under Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant Begins
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma recently announcing their retirement from red-ball cricket, India is entering a new era under captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant. As the Test series opener nears, speculations around the final XI are heating up.
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Openers: KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to begin the innings.
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No. 3 Spot: Sai Sudharsan is being considered, but Karun Nair’s stellar form for India A has brought him into the equation.
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Middle Order: Pant and Gill are set to bat at 4 and 5 respectively, though this could be revised based on match conditions.
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Spin & Seam Attack: With a home series, India may deploy a spin-heavy lineup with experienced campaigners and promising newcomers.
Fans await the official playing XI, which is expected to be announced a day before the first Test.
As India readies itself for a tough Test battle against England, the nation’s emotional state remains fragile following the Air India disaster near Ahmedabad. Rishabh Pant’s tribute serves as a reminder that cricket, while a game, also has the power to bring people hope in the darkest of times. With a fresh leadership group and a mission beyond cricket, Team India will step onto the field not just for victory, but for healing.
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