Rahane, Ganguly play cricket with Prince WIlliam outside Buckingham Palace - Watch
Prince William hosted an informal cricket match on The Mall in London, inviting international cricket legends like Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane. The event served as a promotional build-up to a British Royal award ceremony.
Why it matters
The event highlights the use of sports diplomacy and celebrity engagement to strengthen cultural ties between the UK and India.
Britain's Prince William turned The Mall, the famous London road leading to Buckingham Palace, into a temporary cricket pitch on Tuesday. He invited several current and former international cricketers for an informal game in the build up to an award by 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 for the event.The Mall, a wide red-paved road in the heart of London, is usually the setting for royal processions and public celebrations. On Tuesday, however, it hosted a game of tennis-ball cricket as William picked up a bat and faced deliveries from Ganguly.Dressed in a shirt and sweater, the prince played a few shots and posed for selfies with onlookers.
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