Ajinkya Rahane, Ganguly playing tennis cricket with Britain’s Prince William outside Buckingham Palace

Britain’s Prince William joins cricket stars for an informal game on The Mall in London, Britain, October 13, 2026. Ajinkya Rahane in briefs watches Prince William in action Britain’s Prince William on Tuesday turned The Mall, London’s famous road leading to Buckingham Palace, into a temporary cricket pitch. He invited several current and former international cricketers for an informal game in preparation for the award from the British Royal.Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane, who recently retired from all forms of cricket, were among those who joined West Indies great Brian Lara and England players Joe Root and Harry Brook at the event.The Mall, a wide red-paved road in the heart of London, is usually the scene of royal processions and public celebrations. However, on Tuesday, she hosted a game of tennis ball cricket as William picked up the bat to face deliveries from Ganguly.Dressed in a shirt and sweater, the prince played a few shots and posed for selfies with onlookers. Ganguly briefly reviewed his batting.“He batted well,” Ganguly said when asked for his verdict on Prince’s skills.Sharing his experience in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Rahane described the opportunity to play cricket on The Mall with Buckingham Palace in the background as unforgettable.“Cricket has taken me to some remarkable places around the world, but playing cricket with a tennis ball right on The Mall in London with Buckingham Palace in the background is an experience that will stay with me for a long time,” Rahane said on LinkedIn on Wednesday.“It was a privilege to spend time with HRH Prince William and meet wonderful friends and icons of the sport Dada, Brian Lara, Joe Root, Harry Brook and all the others who have brought so much joy to the field.“We spoke about the unifying spirit of cricket, our memories of playing in England and back home in India and the responsibility we share towards the future.”