In a poignant display of sportsmanship and shared grief, players from both the Indian and Australian women’s cricket teams donned black armbands during their crucial ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final match. The gesture, observed at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, paid tribute to 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically passed away earlier this week. Austin succumbed to injuries sustained during a net session accident where he was struck on the neck. This heartbreaking loss has resonated deeply within the international cricketing fraternity, prompting this united show of respect. The match itself saw Australia win the toss and choose to bat, with Alyssa Healy returning to the lineup. India faced a player availability challenge with Pratika Rawal sidelined due to injury, leading to the inclusion of Shafali Verma in their playing XI. The atmosphere was a mix of intense competition and solemn remembrance, highlighting the strong bonds within the cricket world.
