Here’s Why Indian Players are wearing Black Band in IND vs ENG Test in Rajkot

The 3rd day of the India vs England Test match in Rajkot is currently underway. Within the first 30 minutes of the day’s play, England lost Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. However, Ben Duckett on the other end stood firm. Meanwhile, Indian players are sporting black bands on their arms, and fans wonder why.

Team India wore Black Bands as a tribute to Former Indian Cricketer

Indian players are wearing the black band in the Rajkot Test match in memory of former Indian cricketer Dattajirao Gaekwad, who passed away on February 13. Dattajirao, the oldest Indian Test Cricketer at the time of his death, hailed from the same state where the match is currently underway, Gujarat. At the age of 95, he took his last breath at his residence in Vadodara.

BCCI informed on their X handle, “Team India will be wearing black arm bands in memory of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Test cricketer who passed away recently”

#TeamIndia will be wearing black arm bands in memory of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Test cricketer who passed away recently.#INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 17, 2024

Dattajirao Gaekwad represented India in 11 Test matches spanning from 1952 to 1961. He played 99 first-class matches for Baroda (now Vadodara) and was a member of the royal Baroda family. His son, Anshuman Gaekwad, also represented India in 40 Tests and 15 ODI matches.

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Following Dattajirao’s demise, CD Gopinath is now the longest-living Indian cricketer, who is set to turn 94 on March 1. Gopinath and Dattajirao were teammates during their playing days. Gopinath represented Madras (now Tamil Nadu) in domestic cricket.