The much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) Final between Australia and India got underway at London’s historic Oval. As the players and umpires took to the field, everyone was wearing black bands as a mark of solidarity for the victims of a tragic train tragedy in the Indian state of Odisha.
The tragic Odisha train accident, which occurred on June 2, 2023, involved three trains, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of nearly 300 lives and leaving almost 1000 injuries. Paying tribute to the victims, the cricketing fraternity united in wearing the black bands as a symbol of remembrance.
The Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field first. The decision seemed promising as Mohammed Siraj struck early, inflicting pressure on the Australian team.
However, as the day progressed, Australia showcased their batting prowess and mounted a strong response. Travis Head and Steve Smith exhibited a masterclass in resilience and skill, guiding their team to an impressive total of 327 runs for the loss of only three wickets. The duo’s exceptional performance on Day 1 of the summit clash at The Oval boosted Australia to a commanding position.
Teams and Umpires Pay Tribute to Balasore Railway Disaster Victims
Along with Team India, the Australian Cricket team and the umpires have shown their support for the Balasore railway disaster victims. Before the National Anthems, teams and match officials also held a two-minute silence.
In a tweet, BCCI released a statement, “The Indian Cricket Team will observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Odisha train tragedy ahead of the start of play on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval.
The team mourns the deaths and offers its deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who tragically lost their lives. To express solidarity with those affected, Team India will wear black armbands.”
Tragic Three-Train Collision Claims Lives in Balasore
The Coromandel Express, Howrah-Yeshwantpur Express, and a goods train collided in a terrible accident, which led to a devasting disaster.
According to media reports, there were various fatalities as a result of the crash, which was caused by a signal failure and maybe a change in interlocking. The nation is mourning the lives lost in this tragic catastrophe due to the scale of the train accident.
As India takes the field in the WTC 2023 Final, there is a collective sense of determination to secure victory and dedicate it to the families and individuals affected by the Balasore accident. The Indian team carries the weight of the nation’s grief on their shoulders, striving to bring a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of tragedy.
