Britain’s Prince William turned The Mall, that famous London road usually reserved for royal processions, into a temporary cricket pitch on Tuesday. He wasn’t just doing it for kicks, either. This was all a build-up to an award by the British Royal, and the Prince invited some absolute legends of international cricket for an informal game right outside Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Batting Order Took the Field
Imagine this: The Mall, a wide, red-paved stretch in the heart of London, suddenly hosting a tennis-ball cricket match. Prince William picked up a bat and actually faced deliveries from former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Yeah, *that* Ganguly. The Prince, dressed in a shirt and sweater, played a few shots, even stopping to pose for selfies with the onlookers. Besides Ganguly, the event brought together a legendary lineup including Ajinkya Rahane, West Indies great Brian Lara, and England players Joe Root and Harry Brook. Talk about an all-star game for the ages.
Legends Weigh In On the Royal Performance
So, how did the Prince do against a bowling legend like Ganguly? When asked for his verdict on William’s skills, Ganguly kept it simple, saying, “He batted alright.” That’s high praise from someone who’s seen it all! Ajinkya Rahane, who recently retired from all forms of cricket, was clearly stoked by the whole experience. He took to LinkedIn on Wednesday to share his thoughts, calling the opportunity to play cricket on The Mall with Buckingham Palace in the background “a memorable one.” Rahane said, “Cricket has taken me to some remarkable venues across the world, but playing tennis-ball cricket right on The Mall in London with Buckingham Palace in the backdrop is an experience that will stay with me for a long time.” He also mentioned it was a “privilege to spend time with HRH Prince William and catch up with wonderful friends and icons of the sport Dada, Brian Lara, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and everyone else who brought so much joy to the pitch.” They even talked about “the unifying spirit of cricket” and the “responsibility we share toward the future.”
This wasn’t just some casual hit-around. It was a unique display of cricket’s power to bring people together, from royalty to legends, in the most unexpected of settings. You just gotta love moments like this, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply