India, June 20 -- Cricket will take a backseat for a moment on Friday as India and England prepare to pay their respects to the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad air disaster before the opening Test at Headingley. Both teams will observe a minute's silence and wear black armbands to honour those who lost their lives.

The catastrophe, which occurred on June 12, claimed the lives of 274 people after a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. Among the deceased were 181 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens, making the upcoming tribute at Leeds especially poignant for both sides.

Ahead of the five-Test series opener, India vice-captain Rishabh Pant expressed the deep grief shared by the team ...