Ravi Shastri Receives Autographed Cap from Jude Bellingham at The Hundred 2026

A Memorable Encounter at Edgbaston

On August 1, during The Hundred 2026 match between Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire at Edgbaston, former Indian cricket captain and coach Ravi Shastri was gifted a signed cap by Jude Bellingham, the England and Real Madrid football star.

Bellingham, who is a co-owner of Birmingham Phoenix, participated in the pre-match coin toss and engaged with players and the broadcasting team, drawing attention not just for his presence but also for his interactions.

Shastri's Special Gift

Following the toss, which saw Birmingham Phoenix choose to bat first, Shastri, who is part of the commentary team for The Hundred 2026, had a delightful exchange with Bellingham on live television.

A video capturing this moment quickly gained traction on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), showcasing Shastri receiving a Birmingham cap and a match ball signed by Bellingham, who was in high spirits during their light-hearted chat.

Shastri later shared that the signed cap was intended for his daughter, Aleka, humorously noting that she would have barred him from entering their home if he returned without it.

He remarked, 'The autograph is for my daughter. She wouldn’t have allowed me home if I had not taken it.'

Birmingham Phoenix's Match Outcome

In the match itself, Bellingham's co-owned team faced a tough challenge, ultimately losing to Welsh Fire by seven wickets. This victory marked Welsh Fire's third win of the season, elevating them to second place in the standings.

Chasing a target of 137 runs, Welsh Fire successfully completed the chase in just 96 balls, with Joe Root contributing an impressive unbeaten 58 runs and forming a crucial 77-run partnership with captain Phil Salt, who scored 46 runs.

Birmingham Phoenix struggled to set a competitive total, with only wicketkeeper Joe Clarke (35) and captain Donavan Ferreira (23) making significant contributions, while the rest of the batting lineup faltered against a disciplined Welsh Fire bowling attack.

Currently, Birmingham Phoenix sits at the bottom of the points table with one win and three losses, accumulating only 4 points and a net run rate (NRR) of -1.208, making their path to recovery in the tournament quite challenging.