The Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams are wearing black armbands today to mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Dr. Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2024, at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments. He died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi after losing consciousness at his home.
Both teams displayed this mark of respect during their respective matches on Friday. The men’s team, captained by Rohit Sharma, wore the armbands during the Boxing Day Test match against Australia in Melbourne. The women’s team wore them during their third and final One Day International (ODI) match against the West Indies in Vadodara. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement confirming the gesture, stating, “The Indian team is wearing black armbands as a mark of respect in the memory of former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away.”
Beyond his political career, Dr. Singh was a renowned economist and is widely recognized for his pivotal role in implementing economic reforms in 1991. These reforms are credited with rescuing India from a severe economic crisis and initiating an era of liberalization that significantly altered the country’s economic trajectory. He is often referred to as the architect of India’s economic liberalization.
Dr. Singh’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum and around the world. He is remembered for his intellectual prowess, his quiet demeanor, and his significant contributions to India’s economic and social development. The black armbands worn by the Indian cricket teams serve as a visible symbol of the nation’s mourning and respect for this influential leader.
