Just a day after the gripping Lord’s Test ended in heartbreak for India, members of the Indian cricket team were hosted by King Charles III at St. James’s Palace. The rare royal reception came amid India’s ongoing five-match Test series in England, where the hosts now lead 2-1 following a narrow 22-run win at Lord’s.
Captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and head coach Gautam Gambhir were among those present at Clarence House Garden. The team was formally introduced to King Charles III, who took the time to interact with the players and shared light-hearted moments with the group.
ALSO READ: Liam Dawson Replaces Injured Shoaib Bashir for Final Two Tests of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
“It was amazing to meet King Charles III. He was very kind and generous to call us. We had a few good conversations,” said Shubman Gill. “He even mentioned how unfortunate that last dismissal was—when the ball just rolled onto the stumps. We told him the match could have gone either way. Hopefully, we’ll have better luck in the next two.”
#WATCH | The United Kingdom: King Charles III pose with the players of the Indian Men’s and Women’s Cricket team, the coach, staff members and BCCI officials, at St. James’s Palace in London. pic.twitter.com/YRhQPcXvuw
— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025
#WATCH | The United Kingdom: King Charles III met the Indian Men’s Cricket team at St. James’s Palace in London. pic.twitter.com/SjZU0DL6o1
— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025
India, chasing a modest 193, were bowled out for 170 on Day 5 at Lord’s, thanks to a fierce spell by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer that broke the Indian middle order early in the session. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar fell in quick succession, plunging India into trouble.
WATCH – Dinesh Karthik Jokes Zing Bails Could’ve Saved Mohammed Siraj in Lord’s Thriller
Ravindra Jadeja staged a gritty fightback with Nitish Reddy, but Chris Woakes struck at the stroke of lunch to dismiss the youngster. With India 112/8, Jadeja continued the resistance with Jasprit Bumrah, who added a crucial 35-run stand. Bumrah’s attacking instinct, however, cost him his wicket.
Mohammed Siraj then dug in alongside Jadeja, who raised a fighting half-century, but England had the last laugh. Shoaib Bashir, playing through pain, cleaned up Siraj to seal England’s memorable 22-run win and trigger jubilant celebrations at Lord’s.
