Former India Test:<\/b> Former India Test captain Ajinkya Rahane has described playing tennis-ball cricket with Britain's Prince William in front of Buckingham Palace in London as an experience that will stay with him for a long time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rahane was among a distinguished gathering of cricketing greats invited by Prince William to participate in a friendly match on The Mall, a ceremonial roadway outside Buckingham Palace, as part of the countdown to the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, which will be held in Mumbai on November 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The event brought together several prominent names from the sport, including former India captain Sourav Ganguly, West Indies batting great Brian Lara, and England players Joe Root and Harry Brook.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on the occasion in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Rahane said the unique setting made the experience particularly memorable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cCricket 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rahane added that the gathering celebrated the shared passion for cricket between India and the United Kingdom while highlighting an important environmental cause.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYesterday was about celebrating the shared love for the game between India and the UK, but more importantly, shining a light on a cause that matters far beyond the boundary ropes. 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe spoke about the unifying spirit of cricket, our memories of playing in England and back home in India, and the responsibility we share toward the future,\u201d Rahane added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India captain also expressed excitement about the Earthshot Prize coming to his home city next month, underlining the importance of collective efforts to protect the planet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cRepairing and protecting our planet across nature, clean air, oceans, waste reduction, and climate requires the same values the sport teaches us every day: discipline, collective effort, and genuine intent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India captain also expressed excitement about the Earthshot Prize coming to his home city next month, underlining the importance of collective efforts to protect the planet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n