King Charles III extended his sympathy to the Indian men’s cricket team following their agonizing 22-run defeat against England in the third Test match at Lord’s. The King, who reportedly watched the dramatic final moments on television, expressed his understanding of India’s heartbreak, particularly regarding the dismissal of Mohammed Siraj.
Royal Condolences at Clarence House
On Tuesday, King Charles III hosted both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams at his Clarence House residence. The meeting came less than 24 hours after the men’s team suffered a narrow loss at Lord’s, where they fell short of chasing 193 runs in the final session of the last day.
Siraj’s Dismissal: A Point of Shared Annoyance
During his interaction with Indian captain Shubman Gill, King Charles specifically commented on the dismissal of Mohammed Siraj, India’s last batsman. Siraj was dismissed when Shoaib Bashir’s delivery spun back to dislodge the bails after he had played a defensive stroke.
“Really annoying just to touch the bails,” the King reportedly remarked to Gill, acknowledging the unfortunate nature of the dismissal. Gill confirmed the conversation, stating, “He did tell us that the way our last batsman got out was quite unfortunate – the ball rolling on the stumps, and he was just asking us how did we feel after that.”
Gill conveyed to the monarch that while it was an “unfortunate match,” it “could have gone either way.” He expressed hope for “better luck in both the next games.” The loss leaves India trailing 2-1 in the five-match series.
Beyond the Men’s Team: A Royal Welcome for Women’s Team
King Charles III also met with the Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The women’s team recently secured their first-ever T20I series win against England on home soil. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla noted that the King showed considerable knowledge of the players, even inquiring about personal details such as pacer Akash Deep’s sister’s illness.
The royal engagement served as a moment of solace and encouragement for the Indian contingent, highlighting the strong sporting and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Both teams are now preparing for their upcoming fixtures, with the men’s team heading to Old Trafford for the fourth Test, and the women’s team embarking on a three-match ODI series.
