It’s not every day that cricket and royalty share the same room—but when they do, it becomes a moment to remember.
In a heart warming and historic interaction, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla was left impressed as King Charles III stunned everyone with his deep knowledge of Indian cricketers—not just their stats, but even their personal stories!
👑 King Charles Knows His Cricket—and the Cricketers!
During a special meeting at St James’s Palace, where both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams were present, King Charles left everyone amazed by discussing not just cricket tactics but also personal moments from players’ lives.
“He spoke about Akash Deep’s sister’s illness. He knew about Arun Jaitley and his friendship with me,” said Rajeev Shukla, visibly touched. “It was unbelievable how well-informed and humble he was.”
The King even commented on India’s narrow loss at Lord’s, pointing out how unlucky Mohammed Siraj was when the ball rolled onto the stumps. “He watches cricket closely. He understood the game, the players, and even the emotions behind it,” Shukla added.
A Royal Gift: Partition Book Presented to the King
In return for the warmth, Shukla presented the monarch with his book, Scars of 1947: Real Partition Stories. The King graciously accepted it and showed genuine interest in India’s history, proving once again that this wasn’t just a photo-op, but a meaningful exchange.
“He was not just polite. He was engaged, empathetic, and deeply curious,” Shukla said.
Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill expressed heartfelt appreciation after meeting King Charles III, calling the experience “amazing” and praising the monarch for his warmth and generosity during a historic royal reception at St James’s Palace in London.
A Royal Welcome for Team India
As part of India’s UK tour, the men’s and women’s cricket teams were invited to a special event hosted by King Charles III, marking a rare moment of royal recognition for Indian cricket. The players and support staff gathered at the grand palace for what turned out to be a memorable and symbolic interaction.
Gill: “It Was Amazing to Meet the King”
Speaking about the memorable encounter, Indian men’s team captain Shubman Gill said:
“It was amazing to meet King Charles III. He was very kind and generous to call us. It’s a moment we will always cherish.”
The players engaged in light-hearted conversations with the King, who showed genuine interest in the team’s journey, recent performances, and upcoming fixtures.
Harmanpreet Kaur: “A Truly Special Experience”
Captain of the Indian women’s team, Harmanpreet Kaur, also shared her joy, describing the meeting as a truly special occasion.
“It was a great honour to meet King Charles III. He was extremely gracious and showed a lot of interest in knowing more about our team and women’s cricket. We felt very welcomed and respected,” she said.
Her remarks underline the growing recognition and appreciation of women’s cricket on global platforms.
Bridging Cultures Through Cricket
This high-profile meeting highlighted how cricket continues to serve as a strong cultural and diplomatic bridge between India and the United Kingdom. It also showcased the growing stature of Indian cricket on the global stage—not just as a sport, but as a symbol of soft power.
