Prince William Plays Street Cricket Outside Buckingham Palace With Sourav Ganguly and International Stars
Prince William joined several prominent cricket figures for an informal street cricket match outside Buckingham Palace in London on October 13, 2026. The event transformed The Mall, the ceremonial road leading to the palace, into a temporary cricket ground and brought together well-known players from India, England and the West Indies.
The Prince of Wales was joined by former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane, England batter Joe Root, former England fast bowler James Anderson and West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara. Other participants included England players Harry Brook, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, along with personalities associated with grassroots cricket and sports broadcasting.
William took turns batting and bowling during the friendly session. He connected with deliveries and struck a six, drawing attention from the players and spectators watching the unusual sporting event. The gathering also gave the prince an opportunity to meet members of the public and pose for photographs.
The event was organised ahead of the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in Mumbai in November 2026. The initiative aims to promote innovative solutions to environmental challenges and highlight the importance of international cooperation.
Prince William Takes on Cricket Legends
The informal match brought together players with experience at the highest levels of international cricket. Ganguly, who captained India in both Test and one-day international cricket, was among the players who bowled to William during the session.
William showed his enthusiasm for the game by taking the bat and attempting shots against deliveries from the visiting cricket stars. The relaxed format allowed the participants to enjoy the occasion without the pressure of a formal competition.
Ganguly later described the prince's batting positively, saying that William had performed reasonably well. He also praised the prince's friendly manner and willingness to interact with everyone present.
Joe Root, one of England's leading batters, also offered a favourable assessment of William's batting. Root noted that the makeshift playing surface provided a different experience from a conventional cricket pitch and described the opportunity to play against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace as special.
Brian Lara, one of the most celebrated batters in West Indies cricket history, also joined the session. While he was complimentary about William's batting potential, Lara joked that the prince's bowling required further work.
The comments added a light-hearted element to the gathering, which was designed primarily as a friendly sporting event rather than a competitive match.
Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane Represent Indian Cricket
The participation of Ganguly and Rahane brought a strong Indian connection to the event. Both former India captains have played important roles in the country's modern cricket history.
Ganguly led India during a period in which the team developed a more assertive approach in international cricket. He later served as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. His appearance in London provided an opportunity to reconnect with the sport in a relaxed setting.
Rahane has represented India in all three international formats and captained the national team during the 2021 Test victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia. His presence added another experienced Indian international to the gathering.
Their participation was particularly relevant because the event was intended to celebrate the sporting links between Britain and India. Cricket has long played a significant role in the relationship between the two countries, attracting supporters across generations.
The event also highlighted the international appeal of cricket, with former and current players from different teams sharing a common playing space outside one of London's most recognisable landmarks.
The Mall Becomes a Temporary Cricket Ground
The Mall is usually associated with royal ceremonies, national celebrations and processions leading towards Buckingham Palace. For the event, the broad avenue took on a different appearance as participants played a short game of cricket.
The unusual setting attracted the attention of visitors and spectators in central London. Some had gathered in the area for the Changing of the Guard and were able to watch the sporting event as it unfolded.
William spent time speaking to members of the public after the match and posed for photographs with spectators. His participation brought an informal atmosphere to a location more commonly used for official royal occasions.
The game was organised with the involvement of Backyard Cricket, a group known for promoting casual, community-style cricket through online videos. Its approach celebrates the simple format of playing cricket in open spaces, bringing the game closer to everyday fans.
By staging the event on The Mall, organisers combined the familiar appeal of street cricket with the visibility of a major London landmark.
Earthshot Prize Provides the Wider Purpose
Although cricket was the main attraction, the event also served as a promotional activity for the Earthshot Prize. Founded by Prince William and environmental campaigner David Attenborough in 2020, the initiative recognises projects working on solutions to major environmental problems.
The prize focuses on areas including protecting and restoring nature, improving air quality, restoring oceans, reducing waste and addressing climate change. Each year, selected winners receive financial support to help develop and expand their solutions.
The 2026 awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Mumbai in November. India's role as host provides an opportunity to showcase environmental innovation and encourage collaboration among governments, businesses, researchers and communities.
Using cricket as part of the promotional effort connects the initiative with a sport that has a large following in both India and Britain. The participation of recognisable players also helps attract attention to the event and its environmental message.
William has previously used public appearances and sporting activities to engage audiences with the Earthshot Prize. The London cricket session continued that approach by combining a popular sport with an upcoming international environmental event.
A Celebration of Sport and International Friendship
The street cricket match was not a formal international fixture, but it brought together well-known figures from different cricketing backgrounds in a memorable setting. For fans, the opportunity to see players such as Ganguly, Lara, Root and Anderson sharing a game offered a different perspective on sporting personalities usually seen in stadiums and televised competitions.
William's participation added a royal dimension to the gathering, while the informal nature of the event allowed the players to enjoy the game and interact with spectators.
The event also highlighted cricket's ability to connect people across countries and generations. With the Earthshot Prize ceremony approaching in Mumbai, the match provided a timely reminder of the sporting relationship between India and Britain.
The gathering concluded with renewed attention on the upcoming environmental awards and the role of public figures in promoting sustainability. While the cricket itself was light-hearted, the event's broader aim was to use sport to bring people together around a shared international cause.
