Bowling a maiden over: Kate faces cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on India tour

Robert Jobson13 April 2016

One of the world's greatest cricketers Sachin Tendulkar bowled a maiden over today - in this case a royal duchess.

Kate faced the Indian star at an event in Mumbai and even managed to hit the ball but was caught out.

The royal couple were at Oval Maidan, a large recreational ground in South Mumbai and one of its most famous public areas.

As well as facing up to some of the city's most talented young cricketers, they also met some of its poorest children, which are being helped by local charities including.

Big hitter: Prince William became competitive with his wife as they played
Getty

Kate was wearing a beautifully cool dress by a Mumbai designer Anita Dongre, who also has a studio in London.

A source close to Kate said: “She really wanted to wear a local designer at the earliest possible opportunity as a tribute to Mumbai's wonderful design talent. This dress is a perfect way to do that.”

The couple began by being introduced to Tendulkar before meeting three local organisations helping the city’s infamous ‘slumdog’ children.

Howzat: The Duchess of Cambridge gave cricket hero Sachin Tendulkar a run for his money (Getty)
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

At the Childline stand, which is supported by Prince Charles’s British Asian trust, the couple looked taken aback as they learnt that the helpline, which is a national system for children in distress, deals with a staggering nine million calls a year.

Through a system of 750 offices on the ground, the charity’s staff can get out to meet 250,000 children a year within an hour of them calling.

Many of these youngsters have suffered physical and sexual abuse, some are escaping forced labour and others have been trafficked or run away from abusive home lives.

“That’s just remarkable, so you are so much more than just a helpline,” William said.

He was taken aback when he and his wife were asked to sign a cricket bat – something senior members of the Royal Family normally never do.

“You’re not going to sell this, are you?” the prince asked before agreeing.

He looked more casual than normal in blue chinos, an unbuttoned white shirt and brown suede shoes.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in Mumbai

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Door Step School was founded by Bina Sheth Lashkari in 1989 to help the thousands of children who either never get to start or are forced to drop out of mainstream education because their families need them to work.

Many are working full time by the age of seven, earning just £3 a day as rag pickers, scavenging rubbish dumps, or gutting fish. It’s back-breaking work for a grown man, let alone a primary school age child.

Bina said of the royal visit: “We have shown the children pictures of the Duke and Duchess and where they live.

"The children know they are going to meet a Prince and Princess and they asked if they are like the Princes and Princesses in fairytales. One of the girls asked if the Princess has big hair, like Rapunzel."

“They asked ‘do they need such a big house’ and how do they call their wife, how do they call their kids? It’s very funny!”

William and Kate seemed enchanted as they were introduced to some of the children and watched as they were treated to a puppet show.

Kate then knelt down as they children attempted to teach her count from one to five in Hindi. ‘You get five out of five marks,’ said Bina as she graded laughing Kate’s efforts.

William neatly sidestepped questions about his domestic arrangements – in particular how he his family liked living in such a big house – and laughed: ‘I think we need to learn our Hindi our one to five better.’

At the third charity, Magic Bus, the Duke and Duchess enthusiastically took part in a game of football – with Kate once again displaying her prowess in a pair of heels.

She followed William throwing herself around the small pitch – and even managed to jump over some plastic cones in her towering nude wedges.

One aide joked of the couple: “Here we go, they get very competitive about things like this!”

Magic Bus is a charity set up by Briton Matthew Spacie who is living in India to work with children from primary school age through to secondary education.

Before they left it was time to continue the sporty theme with a game of cricket – William walking first up to the crease.

He showed considerable skill as he hit some balls with Kate, looking elegant in the field, clapping loyally as he did.

Tendulkar said afterwards: "What a fantastic experience it was to meet the Duke and the Duchess.

"[They are] a remarkable couple

"They made us feel so comfortable and they are really humble...very simple.

"And the noble causes that they are supporting all over the world, I think that shows what kind of heart they have and they feel for less fortunate ones.”

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in India and Bhutan

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