The effects of the tragic Air India plane crash that took away 241 lives were felt during Team India’s training session at Beckenham with multiple players and members of staff heard murmuring about the accident. With India opting for an optional session on the eve of the intra-squad match, the mood in the camp was sombre as well.
With the four-day intra-squad game set to start in Beckenham from Friday, players kept it light ahead of what will be one final audition before the Test series commences at the Headingley in Leeds from June 20. The pacers from both India and India A squads were absent during the practice session while the batters had a light hit at nets. The focus moved towards some slip catching as well with Karun Nair (First Slip), KL Rahul (Second Slip), Shubman Gill (Third Slip) and Yashasvi Jaiswal in a flying fourth slip position packing the cordon.
However, as the news of the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad broke in the camp, those in the training ground kept it quiet and professional. No loud laughs or regular banter were noticed.
An Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after the take off on Thursday afternoon. Besides one survivor, no one else survived. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash. The aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel canteen, as over 100 students were gathered for lunch.
Soon after the end of the practice session, India head coach Gautam Gambhir took to ‘X’ to express his sadness over the incident. “Extremely saddened by the tragic crash in Ahmedabad. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this catastrophe,” Gambhir tweeted.
Whereas captain Shubman Gill tweeted, “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.”
Almost all the players took to social media to send prayers and strength to the families of those affected in the accident.
India and India A players will merge to play an intra-squad match in Beckenham and there are chances that black armbands will be worn as a mark of respect for the victims.
Also Read: Day Two in Beckenham: Light Workload, India ease into rhythm