Why Are Players Wearing Black Armbands in IND-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20I? Explained

India Women and Zimbabwe Women are facing each other in the first T20I of their three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, October 16.

While the contest marks the beginning of a new series, a solemn gesture on the field has drawn attention, with players and match officials wearing black armbands at one of the biggest cricket stadiums in India.

The IND-W vs ZIM-W black armbands gesture carries a significant meaning for the cricketing community, as both teams pay their respects to a figure who made a lasting contribution to women's cricket and international umpiring. Not just the players, the umpires are also wearing black armbands in this game.

Why Are Players Wearing Black Armbands in IND-W vs ZIM-W match?

The reason behind India vs Zimbabwe Women black armbands is to honour Sarah Dambanevana. She is a former Zimbabwe women's cricketer and international umpire who passed away at the age of 36 on October 12, 2026. A minute's silence was also observed in her memory to pay tribute to her life and contribution to the sport.

Dambanevana initially represented Zimbabwe as a fast bowler before moving into umpiring. In 2022, she became the first female umpire from Zimbabwe to join the ICC Development Umpires Panel. She later officiated at major international events, including the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup and the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup.
During her umpiring career, she officiated in 72 senior international matches, including 48 women's T20Is, 14 women's ODIs and 10 men's T20Is. Her achievements helped pave the way for more women to pursue careers in cricket officiating.

Significance Of Black Armbands in Cricket

Black Armbands in Cricket are traditionally worn as a mark of mourning and respect following the death of a player, official, administrator or another prominent figure associated with the sport.

The gesture allows teams to honour the deceased and express solidarity with their family and the wider cricketing community. A minute's silence may also be observed before a match to pay tribute to the departed.

The practice is seen across international and domestic cricket, with teams using black armbands to commemorate individuals who have made significant contributions to the game. As mentioned above, in the IND-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20I in Raipur, players wore black armbands to honour a former umpire.