Black Armbands On Day 5: Touching Reason Behind India And England's Gesture

As a mark of respect, both Indian and England players wore black bands on the field.

The black armbands on Day 5 were worn in memory of Dilip Doshi.

Source : @BCCI / X

The first Test between India and England, which began on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, entered its fifth and final day on June 24.

With the match finely balanced, India needed 10 wickets to secure victory, while England faced the challenge of scoring 350 runs in 90 overs. As play resumed at 3:30 PM IST, players from both teams were seen wearing black armbands — a symbolic gesture with a deeply respectful reason.

A Tribute to Dilip Doshi

The black armbands on Day 5 were worn in memory of Dilip Doshi, the former Indian left-arm spinner who passed away in London on the night of June 23 following a heart attack.

Doshi, remembered for his sharp turn and consistency, was one of the few Indian spinners to find success in overseas conditions during his time. His death was confirmed by the BCCI through its official social media accounts.

As a mark of respect, both Indian and England players wore black bands on the field.

Both teams are wearing black armbands today in memory of former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi, who passed away on Monday.

The teams also observed a minute's silence before the start of Day 5. pic.twitter.com/1npOAo4ihp

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 24, 2025

Third Tribute During IND vs ENG 1st Test 

Remarkably, this was the third time during this match that players wore black armbands:

On Day 1, they paid tribute to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash.

On Day 3, the teams honored the late David “Sid” Lawrence, a former England cricketer.

On Day 5, the gesture was a solemn farewell to Dilip Doshi, marking yet another emotional moment in this Test match.

Doshi’s Cricketing Legacy

Dilip Doshi represented India in 33 Test matches, taking 114 wickets, and also played 15 ODIs, claiming 22 wickets. He debuted in 1979 and played his final match in 1982. Though his international career was relatively short, his contribution to Indian cricket was significant and well-regarded.