SA vs AUS WTC 2025 Final: Why were Players wearing Black Arm Band Today?

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In the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord's, players from both Australia and South Africa are wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in the loss of 265 lives. The crash was one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history and sent shockwaves across the nation and the international community.

In response to this tragedy, both teams- Australia and South Africa, chose to wear black armbands on Day 3 of the WTC Final. Additionally, a minute of silence was observed before the start of play. Black armbands are a symbolic expression of mourning used widely in sports. By wearing them, the players publicly acknowledged the scale of the tragedy and paid tribute to those who lost their lives.

The gesture is not just about paying homage, but also about standing in solidarity with the Indian people, many of whom are deeply affected by the incident. Though India is not playing in the final, the match is being closely followed by Indian fans, making the gesture even more meaningful in the broader context of global cricket.

In the WTC 2025 final, South Africa are in the driver's seat at the end of the 3rd day's play. With eight wickets in hand, the Proteas only need 69 runs to win the Final and thus clinch the WTC 2025 title. If South Africa win the match, this will be their first ICC title in the 21st century.