Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died today in a tragic plane crash in Baramati. Four other people also lost their lives. The accident happened around 8:45 AM while the aircraft was landing.

Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a public rally ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. He was 66 years old and a senior leader of the NCP. He was flying from Mumbai to Baramati in a Lear Jet 45 aircraft with registration number VT-SSK.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep grief over the loss of his ally and announced three days of state mourning. Many people across the country reacted with sadness. Cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Ajinkya Rahane also shared their condolences on Ajit Pawar’s sudden death.

Cricketers mourn Ajit Pawar’s death

Sachin Tendulkar said that Maharashtra has lost a dedicated leader after the death of Ajit Pawar. He shared his condolences with Pawar’s family and friends. Sachin wrote on X that he was very sad to hear about the untimely death of Ajit Pawar and said that Pawar worked for the people across the state.

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin also reacted with shock. He said he was deeply shaken by the news of the plane crash. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the family and prayed for strength and peace.

Former India cricketer and politician Yusuf Pathan also expressed his sadness. He said Ajit Pawar was a committed leader who served Maharashtra with honesty and dedication. He added that Pawar’s work for public service would always be remembered. Yusuf Pathan also asked for a proper investigation into the plane crash.

अजित पवार यांच्या निधनाची बातमी ऐकून खूप दुःख झाले. महाराष्ट्रासाठी काम करणारा एक चांगला नेता आज आपण अचानक गमावला आहे. पवार कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात मी सहभागी आहे. ईश्वर त्यांच्या आत्म्यास शांती देवो.
भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. ॐ शांती. 🙏🏽

Very sad to learn about the untimely demise of…

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 28, 2026

Saddened by the tragic passing of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dada. My thoughts are with his family. 🙏

— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) January 28, 2026

Deeply shaken by the news of Mr. Ajit Pawar’s plane crash. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his family find the strength and courage to endure this profound loss.

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) January 28, 2026

Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Ajit Pawar in the tragic plane crash. He was a dedicated leader who served the state with utmost commitment and integrity. His contributions to public service and the development of the…

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) January 28, 2026

About Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar was a senior leader from Maharashtra and represented the Baramati Assembly constituency. He led the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction). He was known as a strong administrator with deep influence in state politics.

He started his political journey in 1982 through a sugar cooperative. In 1991, he became an MLA from Baramati and continued to represent the area for many years. He held several important cabinet posts and served many times as Deputy Chief Minister.

In 2019, he briefly joined hands with the BJP, but the alliance ended within days. Later, he joined the MVA government and, in 2023, aligned with the Shinde-BJP group. Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and his sons, Parth and Jay.

Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid shared how his thinking about batting in T20 cricket changed after watching Yusuf Pathan in the first season of the Indian Premier League in 2008. Yusuf scored 435 runs in 15 innings during IPL 2008 at a strike rate of 179.01. He played a big role in the Rajasthan Royals winning the title that year.

Dravid remembered how Yusuf played a fast innings early in the tournament and continued with the same attacking style. Dravid, who played for Rajasthan Royals from 2011 to 2013, said Yusuf did not change his approach, which was different from what he had expected.

“When I first played the IPL, one of the things I realised was that we [then Royal Challengers Bangalore] did not have a very good season. I was watching Yusuf Pathan bat. Early in the tournament, he played a great innings. He smashed the ball and scored around 50 very quickly. In the next two or three innings, he played the same way and got out. I kept thinking Yusuf would slow down now. But he did not. He kept playing the same way and then played another brilliant innings,” Dravid said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Also Read -Top 5 Indian batters with most T20I runs in 2025 ft. Tilak Varma

Dravid added that Yusuf’s batting style changed how he looked at batting in the shortest format. He said that before watching Yusuf, he used the same approach in T20 cricket that he followed in Test cricket.

Yusuf Pathan Changed Dravid’s T20 Mindset

“During 13 or 14 innings in the IPL, he may have succeeded only three or four times, but those were very important innings. Watching him helped me understand the mindset needed for T20 cricket. Earlier, I played T20 cricket with the same mindset as Test cricket, where you value your wicket because the team needs to bat for 120 overs. In T20 cricket, only 11 players need to bat for 20 overs,” Dravid added.

Yusuf Pathan, who won the Player of the Match award for his strong all-round performance in the IPL 2008 final, played a key role in Rajasthan Royals’ title win. During the tournament, he scored four half-centuries and hit 43 fours and 25 sixes in 15 innings.

India Champions secured their first victory over West Indies Champions with all-round effort. The game was hosted in Leicester, and India chased 145 runs in 13.2 overs, while winning by 5 wickets in the 15th game of IPL 2025.

West Indies batted first after winning the toss, but they didn't have a great start during the powerplay. Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, and Chadwick Walton were in the pavilion before long. India's bowlers, particularly Piyush Chawla, bowling tight lines and keeping the opposition on their toes. Chawla collected 3 major wickets and didn't allow the West Indies batsmen to settle.

The lone warrior of West Indies was Kieron Pollard. He scored a magnificent 74 not out from 43 deliveries, hitting 8 sixes. He kept his team in the hunt while wickets continued to fall around him. West Indies had to settle for 144 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs.

India's batting too was shaky in the beginning. Robin Uthappa, Shikhar Dhawan, and Suresh Raina got out early. The game was looking close at 60 for 4. But Stuart Binny turned things around. He played with immense intent and got 50 not out off only 21 balls. He played the ball with precision and got to the boundary frequently.

Yusuf Pathan also joined the party and smashed 21 not out off only 7 balls, ending the game in style. India reached the target in only 13.2 overs and recorded a comfortable victory. It was a good collective effort of India, with both the bat and ball. West Indies again struggled, and except for Pollard, nobody came up in their team. 

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2025: Best playing XI for India

Twitter reactions after INDCH wins 15th match of WCL 2025

India Champions have qualified for the semifinals of the WCL

They have defeated the West Indies Champions

India Champions will have to play Pakistan Champions in the WCL semifinals

What would happen now?

Will the legends forfeit that match so that Pakistan goes into the… pic.twitter.com/0VIIuz5Gvo

— Madhur Kapoor (@MadhurKapoor12) July 29, 2025

India qualified for semifinals even after winning just 1 match out of 5. They were struggling at 52/4 in 7.1 overs then smashed 96 runs in the next 6.1 overs 🤣🤣🤣😭😭 aisi leagues me hmesha match fix hote. 🤡🤡#WCL2025 pic.twitter.com/xXXbmo3OrL

— Being Arun (@Snckmagnet456) July 29, 2025

🔥 India finishes their WCL journey with a victory!
First win in the bag as they take down the Windies by 5 wickets! 💥 The WCL campaign may be done, but this win proves they’re never out of fight!#WCL2025 | #CatchEveryMatch | #DontStopStreaming | #tapmad pic.twitter.com/eHmuZc4rjD

— tapmad (@tapmadtv) July 29, 2025

India Champions have done it! 🫡🇮🇳
The defending champions of World Championship of Legends have made it to the semi- finals of WCL season 2!
They have beaten WI Champions in 14.2 overs and will now face last year's runners up and arch rivals Pakistan Champs in the Semis!
🫡 pic.twitter.com/7JxgcmFAMT

— Souvik 45© (@SouvikPurkaya16) July 29, 2025

WICH 144/9 (20)
INDCH 148/5 (13.2)

India Champions won by 5 wkts#WICHvsINDCH #INDCHvsWICH pic.twitter.com/txVmnSeao2

— OK Media Updates (@OkmediaUpdates) July 29, 2025

India Champions win in 13.2 overs to qualify, will face Pakistan in semi-final#WCL2025 #WCL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/B9liPPtqOe

— OfflineHacker (@crict_enthst_14) July 29, 2025

India Champions storm into the semi-finals of WCL 2025! 💥
Chased down the target in under 14 overs, thanks to a blazing knock from Stuart Binny.

[Cricket, CricTracker, West Indies Champions, India Champions, WCL 2025, Dwayne Smith] pic.twitter.com/0jyYCYFTuq

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 29, 2025

It’s been a rough ride for both teams. India, the defending champions, have lost three consecutive matches and sit at the bottom of the table with just one point. 

West Indies are just one spot above them with two points from four games. While both sides are struggling, they’re still in contention for the semifinals—making this clash a crucial one.

IAC vs WIC Match Details

Date: July 29th, 2025

Time: 9:00 PM IST

Venue: Grace Road, Leicester

Live Streaming: Fancode  

IAC vs WIC Weather Report

Clear weather

Also Read: ECS T10 England 2025: WEY vs SPE Prediction– Match 8, Who will win today?

Top Batters IAC vs WIC 

• Chadwick Walton (WIC) - 152 runs in this tournament 

• Yusuf Pathan (IAC) - 109 runs in this tournament

• Shikhar Dhawan (IAC) - 109 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowler IAC vs WIC

• Fidel Edwards (WIC) - 6 wickets in this tournament 

• Piyush Chawla (IAC) - 5 wickets in this tournament

• Harbhajan Singh (IAC) - 4 wickets in this tournament

IAC vs WIC Recent Performance

IAC vs WIC Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If WIC bats first

• First Innings score prediction- WIC is expected to score 150-160 runs

• Result prediction- IAC will win the match by 6 Wickets.

Scenario 2- If IAC bats first

• First Innings score prediction- IAC is expected to score 200-210 runs.

• Result prediction- IAC will win the match by 40-50 Runs

IAC vs WIC Predicted Playing XI

West Indies Champions (WIC) Playing XI 

Dwayne Smith, Chadwick Walton (wk), Kieron Pollard. Chris Gayle (captain), Lendl Simmons, Dave Mohammed, Dwayne Bravo. Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Sulieman Benn.

India Champions (IAC) Playing XI

Robin Uthappa (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh (captain). Yusuf Pathan, Stuart Binny, Piyush Chawla, Irfan Pathan. Pawan Negi, Harbhajan Singh. Vinay Kumar, Varun Aaron.

IAC vs WIC Complete Squad

West Indies Champions -

Ashley Nurse, Chadwick Walton(WK), Chris Gayle(C), Dwayne Smith, Sulieman Benn, Fidel Edwards, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Dave Mohammed, William Perkins(WK), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Lendl Simmons, Nikita Miller, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell

India Champions -

Yuvraj Singh(C), Irfan Pathan, Pawan Negi, Robin Uthappa(WK), Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Ambati Rayudu(WK), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Harbhajan Singh, Vinay Kumar, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Piyush Chawla, Varun Aaron, Siddarth Kaul, Abhimanyu Mithun

IAC vs WIC Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

India Champions To win

We predict that India Champions will be winning this WCL 2025 match. The likes of Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan and Shikhar Dhawan will be key players to watch out for.

At Headingley, Leeds, the England Champions finally broke their losing streak with a much-needed 23-run win over the India Champions in Match 13 of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. India won the toss and opted to bowl first, but England took full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions to post a formidable 223/3 in 20 overs, courtesy of a superb century by Ravi Bopara.

England Champions Innings

Ravi Bopara anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten 110 off just 55 balls, featuring clean strokeplay and excellent placement. Ian Bell also played a supporting role as he made 54 off 39 balls. The duo set up the innings again after the fall of the early wicket of Phil Mustard, who was caught by Varun Aaron. Then Moeen Ali came and did the finishing touch by scoring a quick 33 from 13 balls. From the Indian bowlers, Harbhajan Singh was the most successful one with 2/18 in 3 overs.

India Champions Innings

In response, the India Champions showed intent in the chase but fell short, finishing at 200/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Yusuf Pathan played a brilliant knock of 52 off 29 balls and was well supported by Yuvraj Singh (38 off 27) and Stuart Binny (35 off 13). Despite that, England's Ajmal Shahzad turned the game with a match-winning spell of 4/31, while Stuart Meaker took 2/55. Despite the late surge from India, England held their nerve to seal a 23-run victory and stay alive in the tournament, but they have very slim chances to qualify for the semifinals.

See Also: WCL 2025: Points Table, Leading run scorers and wicket takers after INDCH vs ENGCH match 13

India Champions vs England Champions: Match Scorecard

England Champions – 223/3 (20 Overs)

India Champions – 200/8 (20 Overs)

In an exciting match at Leeds, England Champions won against India Champions by 23 runs in the World Championship of Legends 2025. Ravi Bopara was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 110 runs off just 55 balls. His knock helped England for a big total of 223 for 3 in 20 overs.

After losing Phil Mustard early, Bopara and Ian Bell (54) put together a strong partnership. Towards the end, Moeen Ali gave the innings a big push with his quick 33 from only 13 balls. The Indian bowlers couldn’t stop the run flow, especially in the last few overs.

India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, decided to bowl first after winning the toss. The team came into the match with little rest, having played against Australia just a day before. They had already lost to South Africa and Australia, and their first match against Pakistan didn’t happen because of political tensions.

Chasing 224, India lost Robin Uthappa for zero runs. Shikhar Dhawan scored 17 runs, and Ambati Rayudu scored 28 runs with 3 sixes. Yuvraj Singh fought hard with 38 runs, and Stuart Binny hit a quick fire 35 runs in 13 balls. Yusuf Pathan kept hopes alive with a powerful 52 from 29 balls. But England bowlers kept striking. Shahzad picked up 4 wickets, and Bopara also got one. India ended with 200 for 8 in 20 overs, falling short by 23 runs. It was a tough night for India.

ALSO READ: "Jeet Ka Jalwa, Dushman Dhal Gaya!" – South Africa Champions Crush Australia Champions by 95 Runs

Twitter reactions after ENDCH wins 13th match of WCL 2025

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 champions beat India 🇮🇳 champions by 23 runs. India 🇮🇳 champions have not won a single game yet & and are currently at the bottom on the points table .#ENGvIND #INDvENG #ENGvsIND #INDvsENG #WCL2025 pic.twitter.com/Ew3BOo51XZ

— Fourth Umpire (@UmpireFourth) July 27, 2025

INDIA CHAMPIONS ELIMINATED FOR WCL 2025.#ENGvsIND #WCL25 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/0tAXVkL0bw

— Ahsan Shah 💚🇵🇰 (@ahsan_shah90) July 27, 2025

Back to back 50’s this weekend💪#WCLIndiaChampions #WorldChampionshipOfLegends #OnceAChampionAlwaysAChampion #WCL2025 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/3PjVOG8TFW

— WCL India Champions (@India_Champions) July 27, 2025

Yusuf Pathan turns up the heat once again – a blistering 23-ball half-century showcasing pure dominance!

[Cricket, CricTracker, India Champions, England, Champions, WCL 2025, Yusuf Pathan] pic.twitter.com/xoqkrUNmmt

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 27, 2025

Q - If Pakistan reaches WCL Semi Final, will India Play ?

Shikhar Dhawan - That's the wrong question, If this happens, I won't be playing against Pakistan once again.

Share your thoughts on this? #WCL25 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/IZWdBofXa1

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) July 27, 2025

England Champions won by 23 runs!
vs India Champions | 13th Match, WCL 2025

England Champions: 223/3 (20 overs)
India Champions: 200/8 (20 overs)

A powerful all-round performance and a solid defense seals the deal for the Indian legends! https://t.co/7Wm3X0Tlrs#AsiaCup2025… pic.twitter.com/N3HDxNDswb

— SPORTS WIZ (@mysportswiz) July 27, 2025

Australia Champions won a nail-bitting game against India Champions. In this match full of twists, Chasing a big target of 204, they reached the total with just one ball left, thanks to a massive six by Callum Ferguson off Irfan Pathan. Australia ended on 207 for 6 in 19.5 overs and handed India their second straight loss in the tournament.

Ferguson came in when things looked tough for Australia at 65 for 4 in the 8th over. But he stayed calm and played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 70 runs from just 38 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes. Dan Christian also played a handy knock, scoring 39 off 25 balls, with five boundaries and a six.

For India, Piyush Chawla was the best with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 36 runs. Harbhajan Singh picked up two wickets and Vinay Kumar took one. Earlier, India got off to a flying start after being asked to bat. Openers Robin Uthappa and Shikhar Dhawan added 57 runs in just 5 overs. But Dan Christian changed the game with two quick wickets in the 6th over, removing Uthappa for 37 and Rayudu for a duck.

Dhawan well played with classic shots of 91 from 60 balls. He was well supported by Yusuf Pathan, who smashed 52 not out from just 23 balls. Together, they added 100 runs for the fifth wicket and helped India post a big total of 203 for 4 in 20 overs. With this win, Australia Champions moved to second place on the WCL 2025 points table with two wins in three games in WCL 2025. India Champions are still looking for their first win in WCL 2025.

ALSO READ: WCL 2025, Match 10: India Champions vs Australia Champions full match highlights

Twitter reactions after AUSCH wins 10th match of WCL 2025

What a match 🥳
Back to back Jackpots 💰💰 WON ✅

Congratulations 🎉🥳👏
Australia champions 10 paisa Jackpot 💰 win pass ✅

Have fun, Good Night 💤
See you tomorrow 👍#WCL2025 #WCL #WCL25 pic.twitter.com/YTwmuW4K0Z

— Cricket Insider (@theDcricket2O) July 26, 2025

Two matches, two ducks for Ambati Rayudu in the ongoing World Championship of Legend.

PC: Fancode#AmbatiRayudu #WCL2025 #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/tsMpvvwjkK

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 26, 2025

A magical performance by Callum Ferguson! his quick fifty clinches the match for Australia Champions against India Champions.#CallumFerguson #WCL2025 #INDCvsAUSC #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/B6F2ARj15t

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 26, 2025

WCL: Australia Defeated IND

Irfan Pathan failed to Defend 13 runs in Last over pic.twitter.com/TbHKoFh0kJ

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) July 26, 2025

Vintage fireworks! 💥 Shikhar Dhawan’s classy 9️⃣1️⃣* and Yusuf Pathan’s explosive 5️⃣2️⃣* light up the WCL 2025 against Australia Champions! 🇮🇳🔥 #WCL2025 #ShikharDhawan #YusufPathan #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/hejlRRD9Bq

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) July 26, 2025

The most WANTED gloves in the world 💥#WCL2025 #WCLIndiaChampions #WorldChampionshipOfLegends #OnceAChampionAlwaysAChampion #IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/7r4bytyIjC

— WCL India Champions (@India_Champions) July 26, 2025

The upcoming WCL 2025 clash between India Champions and Pakistan Champions has been hit by another boycott. Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has joined the likes of the Pathan brothers and Harbhajan Singh to boycott the fixture with their arch-rivals, scheduled to take place on Sunday. Dhawan's decision came in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor on May 11. The decision was formally communicated over a call and via WhatsApp message. 

The move was made in an effort to stand in solidarity with the nation and its armed forces, who put their lives on the line to defend the country during Operation Sindoor. Relations have been sour between the two ideologically opposed nations since the Pahalgam terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians on April 26. In a tit-for-tat response, the Indian government launched a fierce military campaign against Pakistan to avenge the losses of the fallen souls. 

The latest flashpoint between the two countries has left the future of the upcoming Ind-Pak clashes in serious doubt. 

See also: Should India boycott playing Pakistan at WCL 2025?

Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota.

Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gLCwEXcrnR

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 19, 2025

Former Indian and Pakistani cricketers at loggerheads over Pahalgam terror attacks

Former players from both sides attacked each other on social media when India's military operation was underway in full swing. Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi issued a distasteful remark at that time, which severely undermined the credibility of our government and the armed forces. And once it was revealed that Shahid Afridi would take part in the upcoming WCL clash, fans began mounting pressure on the Indian players and urged them to boycott the match.

While as many as four Indian players have formally conveyed their unwillingness to participate in the marquee clash, there has been no confirmation of a last-minute withdrawal or boycott from the Pakistani camp. A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future of the Ind-Pak WCL clash, with many reports suggesting that the fixture could get called off. This is an evolving story, and more details are awaited at this stage.   

Cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has confirmed his return as captain of the India Champions for the second season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), set to be held in July in the United Kingdom. Yuvraj, who led the team to victory in the tournament’s inaugural edition, will once again spearhead the squad. This year, he’ll be joined by former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who is set to make his WCL debut following his international retirement last year.

Reflecting on his return as captain, Yuvraj said, “I’m eager to represent our nation again at the World Championship of Legends. The memories of our first title win, alongside my teammates, are cherished and unforgettable.” His management last season not only led the team to an exciting victory, it also brought back elements of India's glorious age in ODI cricket, turning the WCL into a memorable experience for fans around the world.

The first season of WCL showcased remarkable performances from Indian cricketing legends such as Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and the Pathan brothers, proving that they still have a great passion for the game. WCL founder Harshit Tomar spoke about his pride in the platform, stating, “This platform gives senior cricketers a chance to continue inspiring fans. Watching these legends recreate the magic that made them icons is truly fulfilling. Our heroes are our pride, and hosting them with utmost respect and care has always been our goal.”

India Champions Squad—WCL 2025

The India Champions 2025 WCL team consists of: Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Piyush Chawla, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron, Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, Siddarth Kaul, and Gurkeerat Mann.

See Also: WCL 2025: West Indies Champions announced their squad for upcoming season

Team India Champions are owned by Sumant Bahl, Salman Ahmed, and Jaspal Bahra and are back to Edgbaston on a mission to defend their title. Co-owner Bahl recalls their championship win, saying, “Owning Team India Champions and lifting the inaugural trophy after defeating archrivals Pakistan still feels like a dream. We’re excited for Season 2 and confident that with an even stronger team, we can recreate history.” With India’s best back in the mix, the battle for WCL 2025 supremacy is set to intensify.

Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan, along with several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, shared their sorrow following the tragic crash of Air India just outside Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed at approximately 1:38 PM local time into the Meghani Nagar residential area just five minutes after takeoff and was headed to London. Disaster struck with approximately 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Such news sent tremors around the country.

Social media went abuzz with pictures of thick plumes of smoke billowing from the wreckage area and a dire picture of the disastrous crash. Cricketers and teams took to the platforms to extend condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. Harbhajan Singh, in a heartfelt post on X, wrote, “I am utterly shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families who are enduring unimaginable pain and loss.”

Irfan Pathan, who is a Lok Sabha MP and former cricketer, also shared his condolences on X, writing, "Very shocked to hear about the #AirIndia Ahmedabad-London flight incident near Ahmedabad airport. Praying for the safety of all passengers and crew. And several IPL franchises, such as Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Chennai Super Kings, also released condolence messages online, emphasizing their thoughts are with those affected.

Official Response and Support

Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran responded to the tragedy, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he wrote on X, noting that an emergency center and support group is established for those looking for information on the issues that arise from this incident.

I am utterly shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families who are enduring unimaginable pain and loss. In moments like these, words feel so inadequate, but I hope…

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 12, 2025

pic.twitter.com/lQwoW0W2l6

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 12, 2025

Very shocked to hear about the #AirIndia Ahmedabad-London flight incident near Ahmedabad airport. Praying for the safety of all passengers and crew. 🙏#PlaneCrash #Ahmedabad

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) June 12, 2025

Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew and the families impacted by the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash.
You are in our hearts and prayers.💔🙏

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 12, 2025

See Also: WATCH: KL Rahul's special message for Karun Nair ahead of ENG vs IND Test series

The crash, which marked the first hull loss of a Boeing 787, prompted swift action from authorities. Emergency services, including fire brigades and ambulances, were deployed, and Ahmedabad airport suspended operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has begun an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The crash occurred after the pilots sent a mayday call indicating a life-or-death emergency situation had developed.