Pant says India out to lift spirits after plane crash tragedy

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant says the team hopes to bring some joy to the nation as they prepare to face England in a five-match Test series beginning Friday at Headingley, following last week’s devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad.

An Air India flight en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after take-off, killing 279 people. It was one of the world’s deadliest aviation disasters, with only one survivor among 242 on board and dozens more killed on the ground.

During a warm-up match in Beckenham, the Indian squad wore black armbands and held a minute’s silence.

“What happened with the aircraft, the whole of India was saddened by it,” Pant said. “The only thing for us is how can we make India happy again? That’s an added responsibility.”

India begin a new era under captain Shubman Gill, with Pant confirming Gill will bat at No. 4 in the absence of retired stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

(Source: AFP)