IPL 2026: CSK vs KKR, Match 22 - Why are players wearing black armbands?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajiinkya Rahane (Source: IPLT20.COM)
Published - 14 Apr 2026, 07:39 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players were seen wearing black armbands during Match 22 of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) on Tuesday, April 14 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to field first, with his team still searching for their first victory of the season.
As players from both teams walked out for the first innings, they were seen wearing black arm bands, leaving fans wondering about the reason behind the gesture. Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri explained on air that it was in honour of India’s oldest living cricketer, CD Gopinath, who recently died in Chennai.
Gopinath was the last surviving squad member of India’s first Test win against England in Chennai in 1952. He was also the country’s oldest ever Test cricketer and the second oldest in the world after Australia’s Neil Harvey (aged 97).
Gopinath played eight matches (12 innings) in his Test career, scoring 242 runs at an average of 22, with one half-century to his name.
The right-handed batter was a veteran of Tamil Nadu Cricket, having scored 2349 runs at an average of 51.06 with a highest score of 234 in the Ranji Trophy and even captained his team for a number of years.
CSK post 192/5 vs KKR
Coming back to the match, CSK posted a good score of 192/5 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of vital contributions from Sanju Samson (48 off 32), Dewald Brevis (41 off 29) and Ayush Mhatre (38 off 17).
After captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (7 off 6), once again departed cheaply, Samson and Ayush Mhatre didn’t let the pressure mount with their 47-run stand off 22 balls for the second wicket.
