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Prince William swapped royal engagements for a friendly game of cricket on London’s iconic The Mall, joining some of the biggest names in the sport ahead of the 2026 Earthshot Prize ceremony in Mumbai.
The event, held on October 13, brought together former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane, West Indies batting legend Brian Lara, and England stars Joe Root and Harry Brook. Former England fast bowler James Anderson was also among the cricket personalities associated with the gathering.
The informal match transformed the famous road leading towards Buckingham Palace into a temporary cricket venue, creating an unusual meeting of British royalty and international cricketing talent.
One of the highlights came when Prince William picked up a bat and faced deliveries from former India captain Sourav Ganguly.
The Prince of Wales tried his hand at batting and bowling during the light-hearted session, with players and spectators enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. He also interacted with members of the public and posed for photographs.
Ganguly was asked to assess William’s batting and offered a brief, positive verdict: “He batted alright.”
The moment provided a lighter side to an event that brought together prominent figures from different cricketing nations in an iconic London setting.
West Indies legend Brian Lara was another major attraction at the event. Known for his extraordinary batting career, Lara shared his assessment of William’s cricketing ability.
Lara suggested that William showed promise with the bat, joking that his bowling needed more work. He even entertained the idea of selecting the Prince as a lower-order batter in a team.
The exchange added humour to the occasion and helped the event reach cricket fans beyond the usual sporting headlines.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane also reflected on the experience of playing cricket on The Mall, with Buckingham Palace providing a distinctive backdrop.
Rahane described the opportunity as memorable and highlighted the privilege of spending time with Prince William and fellow cricket icons, including Ganguly, Lara, Root and Harry Brook.
The gathering celebrated the shared love of cricket across India and the United Kingdom. It also demonstrated how sport can bring together people from different backgrounds around a common interest.
The event was organised ahead of the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Mumbai in November 2026.
Founded by Prince William and David Attenborough in 2020, the Earthshot Prize recognises and supports innovative solutions to major environmental challenges. Its focus includes protecting and restoring nature, improving air quality, reviving oceans, reducing waste and addressing climate change.
The London cricket session helped build anticipation for the Mumbai ceremony while using the global popularity of cricket to draw attention to environmental action.
From Ganguly bowling to Prince William to Lara offering his assessment, the informal game delivered several memorable moments for cricket fans.
More than a celebrity sporting appearance, the gathering highlighted the potential of sport to connect countries and communities. With the Earthshot Prize heading to Mumbai, the event also offered a timely celebration of the sporting and cultural links between India and the United Kingdom.
The Indian Express — “Prince William faces Sourav Ganguly in London cricket match; Brian Lara joins in.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/prince-william-cricket-with-sourav-ganguly-ajinkya-rahane-brian-lara-video-10922475/
ITV News — “William joins cricket stars on The Mall to mark Mumbai hosting Earthshot Prize.”
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-10-13/william-joins-cricket-stars-on-the-mall-to-mark-mumbai-hosting-earthshot-prize
ThePrint — “Prince William plays cricket with legends Brian Lara, Sourav Ganguly in London.”
https://theprint.in/feature/prince-williams-plays-cricket-with-legends-brian-lara-sourav-ganguly-in-london/3071785/
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