In a rare moment where royal protocol met cricket emotion, King Charles III spoke personally with the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams during a special reception at Clarence House in London on July 15. Amid the formal greetings and group photos, the monarch made a heartfelt comment about the Indian team’s dramatic loss at Lord’s, calling Mohammed Siraj’s final wicket “unfortunate” and “really unlucky.”
The King, who had reportedly watched highlights of the third Test match between India and England, referenced the final moments of the game where Siraj—India’s No. 11 batsman—was bowled in a heartbreaking fashion. The ball had spun sharply, hit the bat, and rolled slowly onto the stumps, sealing India’s narrow 22-run defeat in the fourth innings.
Speaking after the royal interaction, Indian skipper Shubman Gill shared the details. “His Majesty said he saw the dismissal and described it as ‘unfortunate.’ He seemed genuinely interested in the match and even asked how we were handling the loss,” said Gill. “He was warm and respectful. It was a moment of pride for all of us.”
The unusual dismissal was a bitter end to what had been a nail-biting Test. Chasing 193 to win, India fell just short after a resilient lower-order fight. Siraj’s wicket, though not unexpected, ended hopes of an upset win and left fans across both nations stunned.
At the reception, King Charles spent time with both the men’s and women’s teams, speaking to players individually and expressing admiration for their sporting discipline. According to Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the women’s side, the monarch asked about their matches, their experience touring England, and wished them luck for upcoming games.
“He made us feel completely at ease,” Kaur said. “He didn’t just shake hands and move on—he actually wanted to talk. That was special.”
This was the first formal meeting between the Indian cricket teams and King Charles III since his coronation. While past Indian squads have interacted with British royalty during tours, this marked a more personal moment, as emotions from the recent Test loss were still fresh.
Siraj, known for his fierce bowling and calm demeanor under pressure, has not spoken publicly about the King’s remark. But teammates said the gesture meant a lot to the entire squad, showing how cricket has become more than just a sport—it’s a bridge between cultures, countries, and even monarchies.
Team India will now shift focus to the fourth Test, which begins on July 23 at Old Trafford. With the series evenly poised and spirits high despite the setback, Gill and his men are expected to come back with renewed energy.
As for Siraj’s wicket—it will likely be remembered not just for the way it ended the match, but for the way it drew a royal response that united fans and players in a shared moment of empathy.
