India vs Australia: Reason why team India is wearing black armbands in Bangalore ODI

India and Australia are currently fighting it out in the deciding ODI of the three-match series in Bengaluru. The visitors won the toss, much like the first two games, and opted to bat after failing to chase 341 in the previous encounter. India, meanwhile, were happy to chase and strolled into the ground with black armbands which caught the attention of the many in the stadium.

The reason for the same is the demise of India’s former all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni. Bapu, 86, breathed his last on Friday due to age-related ailments. He was best known for bowling 21 consecutive maiden overs in a Test match against England in Madras in 1964 and it is still a world record in the longest format of the game.

Even in the 1960-61 series against Pakistan, Bapu Nadkarni boasted of the figures of 32-24-23-0 in Kanpur, followed by 34-24-24-1 in Delhi. Team India is wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to him and his contribution to the Indian cricket. Nadkarni played 41 Test matches for India scoring 1414 runs at an average of 25.70 and picked 88 wickets which also included 4 five-wicket hauls and a 10-match wicket haul.

#TeamIndia shall sport black band today during the match as a mark of respect on passing away of Shri #BapuNadkarni Ji. –@BCCI#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/TV3XDiKG7k

— Udit Goel (@goel_udit) January 19, 2020

India go unchanged while Australia include Josh Hazlewood

Meanwhile, for the much-awaited decider, India decided to go unchanged after winning the second ODI and levelling the series. There was no update on Rishabh Pant’s fitness and availability but KL Rahul fared decently in Rajkot which led to him continuing behind the stumps. Meanwhile, Australia decided to include Josh Hazlewood who is playing his first ODI since November 2018.

Kane Richardson was dropped after an ordinary outing in Rajkot. He had gone for 73 runs in his spell of 10 overs and picked a couple of wickets. With the bat though he entertained the fans in the previous game scoring an unbeaten 24 off just 11 deliveries. Even in the series opener, Richardson was amongst the wickets returning with the bowling figures of 2/43 in 9.1 overs.