Former India Test captain Ajinkya Rahane has described playing tennis-ball cricket with Prince William on The Mall in London as an unforgettable experience. The special event brought together several cricketing legends to highlight environmental sustainability ahead of the sixth edition of The Earthshot Prize, which is scheduled to take place in Mumbai on November 17. Rahane was invited by Prince William to participate in a friendly cricket match on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, as part of the countdown to the prestigious environmental awards.
The initiative, established by The Royal Foundation, aims to recognise and support innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The event featured several prominent figures from international cricket, including former India captain Sourav Ganguly, West Indies batting legend Brian Lara, and England internationals Joe Root and Harry Brook. The gathering offered the players an opportunity to reconnect while supporting a cause that extends beyond the boundaries of the sport.
Sharing his experience in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Rahane thanked the organizers for the opportunity. He explained that playing cricket at such an iconic location, with Buckingham Palace in the background, made the experience particularly special.
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“Cricket has taken me to some remarkable venues across the world, but playing tennis-ball cricket right on The Mall in London with Buckingham Palace in the backdrop is an experience that will stay with me for a long time,” Ajinkya Rahane wrote.
Prince William Takes on The Mall Cricket Pitch With Cricket Legends
The Mall became a makeshift cricket pitch as the Prince of Wales joined stars from the cricketing world ahead of the Earthshot Prize in Mumbai. Brian Lara, Sourav Ganguly, Ajinkya Rahane, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt were among those taking part. 🏏
🎥Rebecca English
#PrinceWilliam #Cricket #BrianLara #SouravGanguly #AjinkyaRahane #JoeRoot #HarryBrook #DanniWyattHodge #NatSciverBrunt #EarthshotPrize #RoyalFamily #TheMall #RoyalNews
— Summer moon (@Summermoon49382) October 13, 2026
He also spoke warmly about spending time with Prince William and meeting several familiar faces from the cricketing fraternity.”It was a privilege to spend time with HRH Prince William and catch up with wonderful friends and icons of the sport Dada, Brian Lara, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Danni and everyone else who brought so much joy to the pitch,” he added.
Rahane further highlighted the importance of bringing The Earthshot Prize to Mumbai, emphasising the connection between sporting values and environmental responsibility. He noted that protecting the planet requires discipline, teamwork and a genuine commitment to achieving meaningful change.
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Launched by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize supports practical solutions across five environmental goals: protecting and restoring nature, cleaning the air, reviving oceans, building a waste-free world and addressing climate change. With the awards ceremony approaching, the cricket event served as a reminder of how sport can bring influential personalities together to promote environmental awareness and encourage positive action.
