Former India head coach Ravi Shastri shared a light-hearted moment during The Hundred 2026, revealing that his daughter had one special request before he returned home—to get an autograph from England football star Jude Bellingham. Bellingham, who is a co-owner of Birmingham Phoenix, attended the franchise’s clash against Welsh Fire at Edgbaston on Saturday, August 1.
While Birmingham Phoenix suffered a defeat, the presence of the England football sensation became one of the biggest talking points of the evening. Fresh from an impressive FIFA World Cup campaign, where he scored seven goals and registered an assist to help England reach the semifinals, Bellingham received a warm welcome from the home crowd.
The football superstar was invited for the ceremonial coin toss, with Ravi Shastri introducing him in his trademark style. “He is a hometown boy. He is a Birmingham superstar, Galactico. Fresh from a magnificent World Cup,” Shastri said during the presentation.
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Shastri later collected a signed Birmingham Phoenix cap from Bellingham and revealed the reason behind it. “The autograph is for my daughter. She would not have allowed me home if I hadn’t taken it,” he joked, drawing smiles from everyone around.
Great to have Birmingham’s own galáctico, @BellinghamJude, in the house for the toss at The Hundred. What a player. What a World Cup. Class written all over him. Good luck for the season ahead!@England @thehundred pic.twitter.com/Ud1IU9khQ3
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) August 1, 2026
The former India coach has been spending time in the United Kingdom recently. A few days earlier, he posted a cheerful picture with Rohit Sharma on X after unexpectedly meeting the India opener during a walk in London.
On the field, Birmingham Phoenix struggled after electing to bat first, posting 137/9. Joe Clarke led the scoring with 35 off 23 balls, while Marco Jansen and Lockie Ferguson picked up two wickets each for Welsh Fire.
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Welsh Fire completed the chase with four balls remaining, thanks to Phil Salt’s 46 and an unbeaten 58 from England’s new Test captain Joe Root, securing a well-earned victory at Edgbaston.
