Before the start of the first Test match at Headingley in Leeds, the India and England cricket teams wore black armbands and observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The tragic incident, which occurred on June 12, 2025, involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of 274 people.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement confirming that both teams would wear black armbands on the first day of the Test as a mark of respect for those who died in the Air India plane crash. The statement also mentioned that a moment of silence would be observed before the respective national anthems.

The Air India flight AI 171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London, carried 242 passengers, including numerous Indian and UK nationals. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, with the aircraft hitting a hostel block of the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area. Only one person survived the tragic incident.

Rishabh Pant, the vice-captain of the Indian team, expressed his condolences and the team's commitment to bringing joy back to the nation through their performance. He acknowledged the sadness caused by the aircraft crash and emphasized the team's determination to perform well for the country and uplift the spirits of the people.

The South African and Australian players also paid tribute to the victims of the Ahmedabad flight crash during the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final by observing a minute's silence and wearing black armbands on the third day of the contest.

In the match itself, England won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Indian team included Sai Sudharsan, who made his Test debut, and Karun Nair, who returned to the Test side after eight years. Shubman Gill is leading the Indian team in this Test series.