Rishabh Pant Expresses Grief Over Air India Crash Ahead of Test Match

India is in mourning following the tragic Air India crash that claimed around 270 lives. Rishabh Pant, ahead of the first Test match against England, expressed his sorrow and the collective grief felt across the nation. The unveiling of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy has been postponed due to the tragedy. As the cricketing world prepares for the upcoming match, Pant emphasizes the importance of uplifting the spirits of the country amidst this sorrowful time. The first Test is set to take place on June 20 at Headingley, marking the start of a new World Test Championship cycle.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2025, 11:19 IST

India Mourns the Air India Tragedy

The nation is still in mourning following the tragic Air India crash that occurred on June 13. The flight, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London, tragically went down shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of approximately 270 lives, including passengers, crew members, both pilots, and medical students who were on board.

Rishabh Pant's Emotional Response

The impact of this disaster has deeply affected the sporting community. Ahead of the first Test match, Rishabh Pant shared his feelings with the media, visibly shaken by the incident. In light of this heartbreaking event, the unveiling of the newly named Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, previously known as the Pataudi Trophy, has been postponed.

Pant Reflects on National Grief

Pant expressed, "The entire nation is grieving over the aircraft incident. We are all disheartened. Our focus now is to find ways to uplift the spirits of our country. Emotions are understandably high due to the crash, but we aim to put our best efforts forward for India."

Upcoming Test Match: England vs India

The first Test match between England and India is scheduled for June 20 at Headingley. Team India will be captained by a young leader, while England will be under the captaincy of Ben Stokes. This five-match series also marks the beginning of the World Test Championship cycle for 2025-27 for both teams.