Prince William Turns The Mall Into a Cricket Pitch as Ganguly, Rahane and Lara Join Royal Knockabout

Britain's Prince William turned The Mall, the wide red-paved road that leads to Buckingham Palace, into a temporary cricket pitch on Tuesday, inviting a group of current and former international cricketers for an informal game in the build-up to an award presented by the British Royal.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane, who recently retired from all forms of cricket, were among those who joined West Indies great Brian Lara and England players Joe Root and Harry Brook for the event.

A royal procession route becomes a cricket square

The Mall is usually the setting for royal processions and public celebrations, but on Tuesday it hosted a game of tennis-ball cricket as William picked up a bat and faced deliveries from Ganguly. Dressed in a shirt and sweater, the prince played a few shots and posed for selfies with onlookers.

Ganguly, who bowled to the heir to the British throne, gave a brief assessment of his batting when asked for his verdict on the prince's skills.

"He batted alright," said Ganguly.

Rahane: an experience that will stay with me

Rahane shared his experience in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, describing the opportunity to play cricket on The Mall with Buckingham Palace in the background as a memorable one.

"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," Rahane said in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday.

"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, and everyone else who brought so much joy to the pitch. We 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."

The gathering brought together players from three different cricketing nations — India, the West Indies and England — on a surface more accustomed to ceremonial parades than cover drives, with the palace gates serving as an unlikely backdrop for a game of tennis-ball cricket.