Prince William plays cricket with Sourav Ganguly, Brian Lara and Joe Root outside Buckingham Palace
Prince William stepped away from his royal duties and picked up a cricket bat on Tuesday, October 13, as he joined some of the biggest names in international cricket for a friendly match outside Buckingham Palace in London. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, batting great Brian Lara, England star Joe Root, Ajinkya Rahane and former England fast bowler James Anderson were among the prominent names who took part in the memorable gathering.
The event, titled Cricket on The Mall, transformed the famous London thoroughfare into an informal cricket ground, with Buckingham Palace providing a spectacular backdrop. The occasion was organised to promote the upcoming Earthshot Prize awards, which will take place in Mumbai in November 2026.
The unusual combination of royalty and cricketing superstars quickly attracted attention, with videos and pictures of the event drawing interest from cricket fans in India and around the world. Beyond the sporting spectacle, the gathering also highlighted the strong cricketing connection between India and the United Kingdom.
Prince William bats alongside cricket legends in London
The Prince of Wales joined the players on The Mall, a famous ceremonial road leading towards Buckingham Palace, for a light-hearted session of tennis-ball cricket. The location, normally associated with royal processions and major national celebrations, offered an unusual setting for a casual game.
William tried his hand at both bowling and batting, facing deliveries from several experienced international cricketers. Among them were Ganguly and England’s Harry Brook, while Brian Lara also joined the action.
The Prince initially bowled to Lara before taking his turn with the bat. Although he struggled against some deliveries, he managed to connect with the ball and send it over the heads of the players, prompting an encouraging reaction from those around him.
Lara, widely regarded as one of the finest batters in cricket history, offered a humorous assessment of William’s abilities. He suggested that the Prince’s bowling required considerable improvement but indicated that his batting could earn him a place in a team, potentially in the middle or lower order.
Joe Root also described the experience as a privilege, pointing out that playing cricket on The Mall was unlike a conventional cricket ground.
The friendly atmosphere, informal setting and presence of several international stars made the event a memorable occasion for everyone involved.
Sourav Ganguly earns praise from Prince William
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was one of the leading attractions at the event. The former left-handed batter remains one of the most recognisable figures in Indian cricket, having captained India during a significant period of transition and helped establish a more assertive approach to international competition.
During his interaction with spectators, William praised Ganguly, describing him as one of the finest cricketers. The compliment added an extra talking point for Indian fans watching the footage of the event.
Ganguly also spoke positively about the Prince’s performance. According to reports from the event, the former India skipper felt William had batted reasonably well, particularly considering his limited recent experience with the game.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for Ganguly to interact with several familiar faces from international cricket, including Lara, Root and Anderson.
For Indian supporters, seeing a former India captain sharing a cricket field with a member of the British royal family was a special moment. It also reflected how the sport continues to connect people across countries, generations and cultures.
Brian Lara, Joe Root, Ajinkya Rahane and James Anderson join the event
The guest list brought together players whose careers have left a lasting mark on international cricket.
Brian Lara, the legendary former West Indies batter, is remembered for his extraordinary run-scoring achievements and remarkable ability to dominate bowling attacks. His presence added considerable star power to the occasion, while his playful comments about William’s batting and bowling provided some of the day’s lighter moments.
Joe Root, one of England’s leading modern batters, also took part. Root has established himself among the most accomplished batters of his generation, particularly in Test cricket, and his appearance added a contemporary international dimension to the gathering.
Ajinkya Rahane, the former India captain known for his composed batting and leadership, was another notable participant. His involvement further strengthened the Indian connection ahead of the Earthshot Prize’s first visit to the country.
Former England fast bowler James Anderson also joined the gathering. Renowned for his exceptional longevity and outstanding Test record, Anderson remains one of the most respected fast bowlers in the history of the game.
England’s Harry Brook and other cricket personalities were also involved, creating a mix of established legends, current international players and grassroots cricket participants.
Rather than a competitive fixture, the match was designed as a relaxed celebration of cricket. There was no major trophy at stake, but the occasion delivered something different: an opportunity for players and royalty to share the same field in a setting rarely associated with the sport.
Why did Prince William play cricket outside Buckingham Palace?
The event was organised as part of the build-up to the Earthshot Prize 2026, an environmental initiative founded by Prince William and Sir David Attenborough in 2020.
The Earthshot Prize aims to identify, support and scale innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Its five categories focus on protecting and restoring nature, cleaning the air, reviving the oceans, building a waste-free world and fixing the climate.
Each year, five winners receive £1 million to help accelerate the development and impact of their solutions.
Mumbai will host the 2026 edition on November 16 and 17, marking the first time the awards have been held in India. The ceremony is expected to bring together environmental innovators, business leaders, investors and prominent international personalities.
The cricket event therefore served a purpose beyond entertainment. By bringing together well-known sporting figures from India, England and the West Indies, organisers were able to attract attention to the upcoming awards while celebrating a shared passion for cricket.
India’s role as host is particularly significant because the country faces major environmental challenges while also developing solutions in areas such as clean energy, electric mobility and nature restoration.
The event also highlighted the relationship between Britain and India, where cricket has long served as a powerful cultural connection.
Earthshot Prize Mumbai 2026: Why the event matters
The upcoming Mumbai ceremony represents an important milestone for the Earthshot Prize. The initiative has previously held its awards in cities including London, Boston, Singapore, Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro.
By bringing the event to Mumbai, organisers hope to spotlight environmental solutions that can deliver practical results at scale. India’s growing clean-energy sector, emerging technologies and conservation initiatives make it an important setting for discussions about sustainability.
The awards are intended not only to recognise promising ideas but also to help finalists and winners attract the support, investment and partnerships needed to expand their work.
For Prince William, the London cricket gathering offered an opportunity to connect the global popularity of sport with a wider environmental message. Cricket’s enormous following in India makes it a natural platform for engaging audiences ahead of the Mumbai event.
The choice of The Mall was equally striking. With Buckingham Palace in the background and international cricket stars on the pitch, the gathering created a distinctive visual moment that brought together British royal tradition and a sport deeply embedded in Indian popular culture.
A memorable cricket moment ahead of the Mumbai ceremony
Prince William’s appearance alongside Sourav Ganguly, Brian Lara, Joe Root, Ajinkya Rahane and James Anderson was a reminder that cricket can bring together people who rarely share the same sporting setting.
While the match was informal, the occasion carried a broader message about international cooperation, community sport and environmental awareness. It also gave fans a chance to see some of cricket’s most respected names away from the pressure of international competition.
The spotlight will now shift to Mumbai, where the Earthshot Prize awards are scheduled for November 16 and 17. The ceremony will bring environmental innovators and global personalities together to celebrate ideas aimed at protecting the planet.
For more cricket news, exclusive updates, trending sports stories and viral cricket videos, stay tuned to ROKOCRICKET. Follow our latest coverage and subscribe for more updates from the world of cricket.
