Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, India wore black armbands on the first day of the third Test against England as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former captain Ajit Wadekar, who passed away earlier this week. However, West Indies legend Michael Holding didn't hesitate to mock the Indian cricket team, while doing commentary at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
With India trailing the five-match Test series 0-2, Holding commented: "Indian players are wearing the black band not because they are 0-2 down."
Holding later clarified the main reason behind the black band.
Just before the start of the day's play, the Indian players were seen wearing black armbands in memory of the departed former prime minister and former skipper.
"The Indian Cricket Team is wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to former India captain Shri Ajit Wadekar and former India Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away recently," the BCCI tweeted.
Wadekar, who passed away on August 15, led India to their first away series victory in West Indies and England in 1971, died in Mumbai on August 15 after a prolonged illness. He was 77.
Former PM Vajpayee passed away on August 16.
(With PTI inputs)