Cricket and compassion: India and Australia players show solidarity for Odisha train tragedy victims on Day 1 of WTC final

India and Australia went head to head in the WTC final at the Oval Cricket Stadium in London on June 7th. All eyes of the cricketing world have been set firmly on the mega contest as they wait for a new world champion.

In the early moments of the game however, another rather important issue took center stage as both Indian and Australian players observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Odisha train disaster that took the lives of over 275 people. The accident involving two passenger trains as well as one goods train further injured over 900 people.

The classy gesture was observed in remembrance of the people who were failed by the system and had to forgo their lives that could and should have been avoided. Both teams have also agreed to wear black armbands to honor and remember the lost lives.

Here's how Twitter reacted to a moment of silence from the WTC final: 

What a great initiative ❤️

— Mittansh OP (@Mittansh_op) June 7, 2023

Om shanti 🙏

— CHOKO LEE😼🔥😎 (@itsChoko18) June 7, 2023

Jo log bol rhe the cricketer ne kuch nhi bola uspe mar jao wo log abb 🤬🤬

— 𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐔 𝓴𝓾𝓶𝓪𝓻 🕉️🇮🇳🕉️ (@ISHUGUP45648544) June 7, 2023

Ravi Ashwin's exclusion a shocker from Day 1

Ahead of the India vs Australia WTC final, the India fans were shocked to see the team sheet with Ravi Ashwin nowhere to be found. The off-spinner is one of India's biggest weapons in their arsenal and was expected to take to the field and fight against the mighty Australians.

While revealing the team sheet, Rohit Sharma, India’s captain for the mega event said, “It’s always tough. He’s been a match-winner for us, over the course of many years. So, leaving him out was tough. But you got to do the things that are needed for the team. So, eventually, we came up with that decision,”

Rohit Sharma won the toss earlier and elected to bowl first, inviting the Pat Cummins-led Australian side to put runs on the board. At the end of 12 overs, Australia find themselves at 29-1 with David Warner (17) and Marnus Labushagne (11). Mohammed Siraj brought the first breakthrough for India when Usman Khawaja managed to knick on the ball to KS Bharat's gloves early on.