Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma And Co. Sport Black Armband During IND vs AUS Semi-Final In Dubai, Here’s Why
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on March 4, 2025
Champions Trophy 2025: India and Australia meet once again in an ICC tournament as the two nations will play their semi-final match in hopes of securing a spot in the final. During India’s semi-final clash against Australia in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4, the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue have came on the field wearing black armbands.
Here’s Why India Are Wearing Black Armbands During Semi-Final Clash Against Australia
It’s not always a team that wears black armbands during a match; however, on March 4, Rohit Sharma’s side are wearing it to honour late Padmakar Shivalkar, who lost his life on March 3 at the age of 84 in Mumbai.
“In honour of the late Shri Padmakar Shivalkar, Team India is wearing black armbands today,” BCCI wrote on X.
Shivalkar had been unlucky to never play for the Indian National Cricket Team. During his cricketing career, he was a major face in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy side. He made his first-class debut in April 1962 for the Cricket Club of India President’s XI. The former cricketer bagged 589 wickets in his 124 first-class games at an average of 19.69.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing semi-final clash, the Men in Blue will be aiming to take revenge against the mighty Australians for their defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. The Men in Blue have stayed unbeaten in the Champions Trophy 2025 and confirmed their spot in the knockout stage after beating Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage fixtures. On the other hand, Australia won just one match in the 15-match ICC tournament. The rest of their two games against South Africa and Afghanistan were abandoned after rain played a spoilsport. Steve Smith-led Australia’s only victory in the tournament came against England on February 22.
Steve Smith’s Baggy Greens won the toss and decided to bat against the Men in Blue in the high-voltage semi-final clash in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. This is the 11th consecutive time India skipper Rohit Sharma lost the toss in the 50-over format.
