 "India vs Australia semi-final: Why are Indian players wearing black armbands in Champions Trophy knockout match")
The highly anticipated semi-final clash between India and Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. As the Indian players took the field, many fans noticed them wearing black armbands, leading to curiosity about the reason behind this gesture.
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Indian players pay tribute to Padmakar Shivalkar
The Indian team is donning black armbands as a mark of respect for legendary Mumbai spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on Monday at the age of 84. Shivalkar, one of the best spinners of the country who never got to play for the national team, died due to age-related issues.
He played a total of 124 First-Class matches and claimed 589 wickets at 19.60 with 361 of those dismissals coming in Ranji Trophy.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar paid an emotional tribute to Mumbai stalwart, saying that the left-arm spinner “deserved India cap more than some others who got it”.
Gavaskar penned an emotional message on the passing away of Shivalkar, which follows the demise of ex-Mumbai captain and chief selector Milind Rege on 19 February.
“This is very sad news indeed. Within a short time Mumbai cricket has lost two of its stalwarts, Milind and now Padmakar who were the architect of many a victory,” Gavaskar wrote in his message.
“One of my regrets as India captain is not being able to convince the national selectors to include ‘Paddy’ in the Test team. He deserved the India cap far more than some others who got it. Thats fate.”
Shivalkar made his Ranji Trophy debut at the age of 22 and went on to play till 48, with his First-Class career spanning from 1961-62 to 1987-88 season.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“He was the bowler who would get the best batter from the opposition out and set up wins for Mumbai,” Gavaskar wrote about the left-arm spinner who was believed to be one of the finest the country has seen.
“He could bowl the whole day with his economic run up and beautiful action. Paddy was one of a kind and am deeply saddened by his passing away. Om Shanti,” he added.
As far as the match is concerned, Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. At the time of writing this, India have picked up four wickets for 146 runs in 28 overs.
(With agency inputs)
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