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Why are Mumbai Indians and RCB players wearing black armbands for IPL 2026 match at Wankhede Stadium?

Here's why Mumbai Indians and RCB players are wearing black armbands for the marquee IPL 2026 match.

Updated on: Apr 12, 2026, 19:31:08 IST
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Sunday, April 12, was a sad day for music lovers around the world, as the legendary Asha Bhosle died at 92. Bhosle's son, Anand, confirmed the development. Shortly after the shocking news, tributes poured in from several quarters, and even Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli reacted. Even the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians and the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) paid tribute to the late singer, with players from both teams spotted wearing black armbands during the marquee IPL 2026 fixture at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians and RCB players are wearing black armbands (BCCI)
Mumbai Indians and RCB players are wearing black armbands (BCCI)

When Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and RCB skipper Rajat Patidar arrived at the toss, the duo were seen sporting black armbands. Once the game began, all the players were spotted wearing them on their jerseys. To mark the sad passing of Asha Bhosle, one minute of silence was also observed at the venue before the start of the IPL 2026 match.

Also Read: MI vs RCB LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on the same field after 127 days

Speaking of the match between Mumbai and Bengaluru, the former won the toss and opted to bowl first. Mumbai Indians made two changes to their playing XI while RCB brought in Jacob Duffy in place of Josh Hazlewood.

What did Sachin and Virat say?

“A deeply sad day for India, and for music lovers across the world. For us, Asha Tai was family. Today, words feel too small for the loss we feel. One moment the heart falls silent, and the next, it drifts through the countless melodies she gifted all of us,” wrote Sachin.

“It feels as though time itself has paused. Yet through her eternal songs, she will remain timeless forever. Thank you, Tai, for filling our lives with warmth, grace, and unforgettable music. We will miss you beyond words, Asha Tai,” he added.

Speaking about Kohli, the former India captain shared a picture of the late singer on Instagram Stories, saying her voice “touched millions” around the world.

“Rest in peace, Asha Bhosle ji. Your voice touched millions and will live on forever in our hearts. Om Shanti,” wrote Virat on Instagram Stories.

Bhosle is a revered figure worldwide, and her contributions to music and the global entertainment industry are second to none. Her stature in the Hindi film music was only rivalled by her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar.

Asha Bhosle's son has already confirmed that the last rites will take place on Monday, April 13.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vishesh Roy

Vishesh Roy is a sports journalist with a strong focus on cricket. He began his career at Asian News International (ANI), where he covered a range of high-profile events, including the India Open, Legends Cricket League, the England–India Test series in Ahmedabad in 2021, and the inauguration of the Narendra Modi Stadium. During his tenure at ANI, he also reported extensively on domestic cricket, covering several Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy matches across the country. While cricket remains his primary beat, Vishesh has also reported on tennis, football and WWE. After a stint of over three years at ANI, Vishesh moved to NDTV, where he gained hands-on experience in digital-first journalism, with a particular emphasis on live blogs and real-time news reporting. He joined Hindustan Times in October 2024 and quickly established himself with a series of exclusive interviews and source-driven stories. Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Hindustan Times was the first to report that the two-day event would be held in Saudi Arabia. In the early months of his tenure, Vishesh secured interviews with leading cricketers, including Pat Cummins, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rashid Latif. He has also closely tracked the rise of emerging talents such as Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya by speaking to their current and childhood coaches. His background in on-field reporting has helped Hindustan Times Digital break exclusive stories on major developments, including Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy, IPL scheduling, and the T20 World Cup controversy involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.

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