IPL 2023: Here's why players will be wearing black armbands in today's games

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Sunrisers Hyderabad are taking on Rajasthan Royals, while Mumbai Indians lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in an action-packed first Sunday of the IPL 2023 season. The doubleheader will start around 3.30 pm with the first match, followed by RCB's clash with MI at 7.30 pm.

And on Sunday, players of both teams across the two matches of IPL will wear black armbands during the matches.

The black armbands will be worn in mourning for the death of former India cricketer Salim Durani, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. Durani, who played for India between 1960 to 1973, was known for his explosive batting and left-arm spin bowling.

Durani was the only India representative who was born in Afghanistan and is regarded as one of the hard hitters back in those days.

The last time black armband was worn in an IPL match was last year. On May 15 in 2022, both Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings player wore black armband in the memories of former Australia player Andrew Symonds, who passed away a day earlier.