IND vs AUS: Why are Indian players wearing black armbands on Day 2 of Boxing Day Test in Melbourne?

The Indian men's cricket team players are donning black armbands during Day 2 of the current Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, December 27. This gesture is a tribute to the late former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night.

“The Indian team is wearing black arm bands as a mark of respect in the memory of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away," the BCCI said in a statement.

The Indian Cricket Team is wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh who passed away on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/nXVUHSaqel

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2024

Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. His passing was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, where he was admitted to the Emergency ward around 8:30 PM in critical condition on Thursday.

The second day of play in Melbourne began with Australia at a score of 311 for 6, with Aussie skipper Pat Cummins adding 112 runs for the seventh wicket with Steve Smith. Smith, Australia’s fourth-leading run scorer in Test cricket, achieved his 11th Test century against India and 34th overall in the morning session. He reached the century mark with a boundary. This century marked Smith’s second consecutive century, setting a record for the most centuries scored against India in Test cricket. Previously, he was tied with England’s Joe Root, who has 10 centuries in 30 Tests against India.

Cummins also contributed 49 runs from 63 balls during his time at the crease, hitting seven fours. He was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja on the first ball of the 105th over of Australia’s first innings.

Also read| 'Has ke baat nahi karna': Virat Kohli’s fiery instruction to Mohammed Siraj after pacer's friendly chat with Labuschagne