Why Are Indian Players Wearing Black Armbands In Champions Trophy Semi-Final Vs Australia?

In the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal between India and Australia in Dubai, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen wearing a black armband during the toss. This was a tribute to the legendary left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on March 3, 2025. The team’s gesture honored his contributions to Indian cricket, especially in Mumbai’s domestic circuit.

India wore black armbands in memory of Padmakar Shivalkar.
Shivalkar was a legendary left-arm spinner known for his precise bowling.
He never played international cricket, but his impact on Mumbai cricket was immense.

Who Was Padmakar Shivalkar?

Padmakar Shivalkar was a highly respected spinner in Indian domestic cricket. He was known for:

Exceptional control over line and length.
Sharp turn even on unresponsive pitches.
A key role in Mumbai’s dominance in Ranji Trophy.

Despite his incredible skills, he never played for India internationally. However, his legacy as a mentor and match-winner in domestic cricket remains unmatched.

India vs Australia: A High-Stakes Clash

This semi-final is the first ODI meeting between India and Australia since the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia won the title. In the Champions Trophy 2025, India has been dominant, securing wins over:

Bangladesh
Pakistan
New Zealand

Meanwhile, Australia faced a mixed campaign, winning only against England, while their matches against South Africa and Afghanistan were abandoned due to rain.

IND vs AUS: Playing XI & Toss Update

At the toss, Australian captain Steve Smith won and chose to bat first. The playing XI for both teams:

India (Unchanged XI)

Rohit Sharma (C)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (WK)
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Shami

ALSO READ: Shastri Reveals India's Preferred Lineup for Semi-Final Clash Against Australia

Australia (Two Changes)

IN: Cooper Connolly & Tanveer Sangha
OUT: Spencer Johnson & Matthew Short

Where to Watch IND vs AUS Live?

Fans can watch the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final live on:

Television – Star Sports
Online Streaming – Disney+ Hotstar
Live Updates – ICC official website

India’s black armband tribute in the Champions Trophy 2025 highlights their respect for Padmakar Shivalkar’s cricketing contributions. The match also reignites the IND vs AUS rivalry, making it a must-watch clash.

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