IPL 2026: Why Punjab Kings wore black armbands against Rajasthan Royals
Punjab Kings players donned black armbands against Rajasthan Royals, honouring teammate Azmatullah Omarzai's late mother. Captain Shreyas Iyer conveyed heartfelt condolences, emphasising team solidarity. Punjab posted a formidable 222/4, showcasing resilience and unity in a high-scoring IPL 2026 encounter.
Players of Punjab Kings took the field wearing black armbands during their Indian Premier League 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, paying tribute to the late mother of teammate Azmatullah Omarzai. The Afghanistan all-rounder suffered a personal loss earlier this week, with news of his mother’s passing emerging on Monday. While Omarzai has not yet featured in a match this season, he remains part of the Punjab squad, and the franchise’s gesture underlined the sense of unity within the camp.
Live Score: PBKS vs RR, IPL 2026 Team stands in solidarity Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer expressed the team’s condolences at the toss, highlighting the emotional reason behind the tribute. “On behalf of the whole team, I just want to share our heartfelt condolences to Azmat and his family for his loss. I’m sure we are there to support him through thick and thin,” he said.
The gesture was a mark of respect, with players across the XI wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning — a long-standing tradition in sport to honour the departed. Support for Omarzai also poured in from the wider cricketing fraternity. Fellow Afghanistan players Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat shared heartfelt messages, offering prayers and strength to the grieving family.
Emotional backdrop to high-scoring contest Despite the sombre context, Punjab produced a strong performance with the bat, posting an imposing 222/4 in their 20 overs. A late onslaught, which saw 55 runs come off the final three overs, shifted momentum firmly in their favour. Earlier, the openers provided a brisk start, taking advantage of inconsistent lines from Rajasthan’s pace attack.