U19 World Cup 2026: Why India players are wearing black armbands vs Zimbabwe

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 Super Six match against Zimbabwe, Indian Under 19 players wore black armbands as a show of mourning for deceased former BCCI President IS Bindra, who died on 25 January 2026 at age 84. Many fans were left to wonder what the meaning behind this gesture meant for these young cricketers.

The band was a way for the Indian team to pay tribute to an individual whose contributions to cricketing administration have historically had great influence over the advancement of the game in India through the many years he has served as an administrator.

India had an incredible amount of promise and self-belief heading into this contest with Zimbabwe and were confident they could maintain their unbeaten status thus far in the tournament. Under the captaincy of Ayush Mhatre, they were lucky enough to receive the first opportunity to bat after winning the toss.

The legacy of I.S. Bindra has had a significant impact on the future of cricket in India.

I.S. Bindra (Bharat Tiwari) was one of cricket's greatest visionaries, serving as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 1993 to 1996 and being an influential figure within the Punjab Cricket Association for many years. Today, he is widely considered to be one of the most successful administrators in the history of Indian cricket. During his time with the BCCI, his decision to challenge Doordarshan's (Indian National Television) monopoly on the rights to telecast cricket matches throughout India helped create a strong financial foundation for the Board, as well as creating an opportunity for private broadcasters to enter the market.

At present, the U19 team has qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup and remains undefeated in their group stage games. The team is currently sitting atop the Super Six Group and is expected to qualify for the next round after beating Zimbabwe this week, as well as facing Pakistan in a critical match in two weeks.