IND vs AUS: The Meaning Behind Indian Players Wearing Black Armbands in the 2025 Champions Trophy Semifinal

Dubai: Australia’s captain, Steve Smith, won the toss against India in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal held at the Dubai International Stadium and opted to bat first. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, wore black armbands to honor Padmakar Shivalkar, a legendary spinner from Mumbai who recently passed away at the age of 84.

Shivalkar is remembered as one of the best spinners never to play for the national team. Over his impressive career spanning 26 years, he played 124 first-class matches, claiming 589 wickets with an outstanding average of 19.69. His journey in cricket began when he made his Ranji Trophy debut at just 22 and continued until he was 48 years old.

In the Ranji Trophy, Shivalkar was a key player, taking 361 wickets, including eleven ten-wicket hauls. He also appeared in 12 List A matches, where he secured 16 wickets. His remarkable achievements in domestic cricket earned him the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2017.

The BCCI expressed their sorrow over Shivalkar’s death, highlighting his significant impact on Indian cricket. They stated, “The Board deeply mourns the passing of Shri Padmakar Shivalkar, who left us on March 3, 2025. He was a stalwart of Indian domestic cricket, known for his unmatched skill and dedication.”

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