King Charles III recently hosted the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams, engaging in casual conversation about their recent matches, including a memorable dismissal at Lord’s.
A Royal Welcome for Indian Cricket Stars
The lush gardens of Clarence House recently played host to a unique gathering: King Charles III welcomed both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams. This special event saw players, along with Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and BCCI officials, enjoying an informal reception.
The teams were in England for crucial series. The women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, had just clinched their first-ever T20I series win in England, defeating the hosts 3-2. The men’s team, under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, was locked in a thrilling five-match Test series, trailing 2-1 after an epic contest at Lord’s.
King Charles’s Cricket Insights
Players shared that the King was keenly interested in their recent sporting assignments. Shubman Gill recounted a particularly engaging conversation about a standout moment from the Lord’s Test.
King Charles specifically brought up Mohammed Siraj’s unusual dismissal on Day 5, where the ball trickled back onto the stumps despite a seemingly good connection. This wicket had been pivotal, ending India’s spirited resistance that brought them within 22 runs of victory.
“He did tell us that the way our last batsman got out was quite unfortunate, the ball rolling on to the stumps,” Gill revealed. “And he was just asking us, ‘how did you feel after that?’ And we told him it was an unfortunate match for us… but hopefully, we’ll have better luck in both the next games.”
A Memorable Experience for the Teams
For many players, this was their first opportunity to meet a monarch. Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her delight, stating, “It was a really nice experience. We have come to England so many times but this was the first opportunity to meet the King.”
She added that the King was very friendly and inquired about their travels. Women’s team Head Coach Amol Muzumdar echoed these sentiments, calling it a “very humbling experience” and noting the excitement among the players.
Supporting a Noble Cause
The cricket event was hosted by the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles III himself. This organization works to combat poverty, inequality, and injustice across South Asia.
Shubman Gill described the experience as “amazing,” praising King Charles as “very kind and generous” and highlighting the quality of their conversations.
- King Charles III hosted both Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams at Clarence House.
- He discussed Mohammed Siraj’s “unfortunate” dismissal in the recent Lord’s Test with Shubman Gill.
- Both teams expressed their delight and appreciation for the unique opportunity to meet the King.
- The event was part of a gathering for the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles.
As the teams continue their tours, this royal encounter adds a memorable chapter to their cricketing journey in England.
