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New Delhi: Players of SoBo Mumbai Falcons and the Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, the two finalists of the T20 Mumbai League 2025, observed a one-minute silence and wore black armbands to mourn the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash on Thursday. Moments before the start of the final clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the players stood in solidarity and paid their last respects to the lives lost in the incident.

A London-bound passenger aircraft of Air India, which carried 242 passengers and crew, crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The plane hit a medical college hostel in the vicinity of Meghaninagar, an area right beyond the perimeter of the airport. The death toll is yet to be confirmed, and it is being reported that a few medical students are feared dead.

“In light of the tragic plane crash incident in Ahmedabad and in the spirit of solidarity and national sentiments, players from SoBo Mumbai Falcons and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, along with MCA officials, observed a minute of silence for the victims. A condolence message was displayed on the big screen before the start of the T20 Mumbai League 2025 Final at Wankhede Stadium, and all players wore black armbands,” the league said in a statement.

Former India skippers Kapil Dev, Rohit Sharma, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Diana Edulji were also present during the summit clash of the inaugural edition of the T20 tournament in Mumbai.

Indian cricket fraternity expresses grief

Several Indian cricketers, as well as the head coach Gautam Gambhir, who are in Beckenham, England, took to social media to express their thoughts and prayers. Gambhir wrote, “Extremely saddened by the tragic crash in Ahmedabad. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this catastrophe,” while Test skipper Shubman Gill said, “Shaken by the heartbreaking tragedy in Ahmedabad. In this hour of grief, sending prayers to all those affected, and strength to the brave souls helping on the ground.”

“Shocked to hear about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and their loved ones,” senior batter KL Rahul said. “What happened today in Ahmedabad is extremely tragic and left me very sad. Life is so precious, my heart goes out to all the families affected by the incident. May the souls of the departed rest in peace and may the almighty provide strength to families, friends, and loved ones in this difficult moment,” wrote pacer Mohammed Siraj.

Meanwhile, Rohit on Instagram wrote, “Really sad and disturbing news from Ahmedabad. Prayers for all the lives lost and their families,” and his senior counterpart Virat Kohli posted, “Shocked to hear about the plane crash at Ahmedabad today. Praying for all those affected and thoughts with their families.”

(With PTI inputs)