ODI World Cup 2023: Why are Indian players wearing black armbands against England?

The action of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 continued as team India locked horns with reigning champions England in their sixth match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday, October 28. 

During the high-octane clash, Rohit Sharma and Co. were spotted wearing black armbands. It is understood that the Indian players were wearing the armbands to show respect to India’s spin great and former captain Bishan Singh Bedi,  who passed away on October 23 at the age of 77. 

Bedi, who was considered one of the greatest left-arm spinners India have ever produced, passed away after prolonged illness. Having made his international debut in 1966, he played 67 Test matches and has a total of 266 Test wickets to his name. He has captained the national team in 22 matches in red ball cricket.

India eye for sixth consecutive win in ODI World Cup 2023

Team India are the most consistent team in the ongoing ODI World Cup, having won all five games they have played so far. They will eye for another win in the tournament to remain unbeaten in the tournament and strengthen their chances of sealing a spot in the semi-final.

In the action-packed match against England, India were asked to bat first as Jos Buttler won the toss and invited the Men in Blue to bat first. Notably, this is the first time India got the opportunity to bat first in the ongoing tournament as they chased and won all five of their previous games. The two-time champions came up with the same lineup that beat New Zealand by four wickets at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.