In a heartwarming moment that has since gone viral, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, surprised Indian cricket stars during his official visit to Mumbai on Tuesday.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, Sheikh Hamdan met Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), along with cricket icons Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY), and Hardik Pandya.

The unannounced meeting took place during Sheikh Hamdan’s historic two-day visit to India and quickly became a trending moment on social media.

A Viral Moment with Team India

Sheikh Hamdan shared photos from the meeting on Instagram, captioned in Hindi: “Team India Ke Saath Ek Yaadgaar Mulakath” (A memorable meeting with Team India). The post received thousands of likes within hours, with fans from both countries calling it a proud moment for cricket and diplomacy.

In a standout moment, he signed a special Team India jersey featuring “Dubai” and the number 11, posing for photos alongside Rohit Sharma.

UAE’s Growing Role in Global Sports

During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the Indian team on their recent Champions Trophy 2025 win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and highlighted the UAE’s vision to become a global sports hub.

“The UAE’s infrastructure, innovation, and long-term vision make it a natural hub for international sporting excellence,” he said, referring to the UAE’s hosting of the ICC headquarters in Dubai since 2005.

The Indian players praised the UAE’s top-class facilities, smooth event organisation, and growing influence in international sports.

A Visit Full of Culture, Cuisine, and Cooperation

Sheikh Hamdan’s meeting with the cricket stars was just one highlight of his trip. The Crown Prince also:

• Enjoyed a traditional Chendamelam performance from Kerala
• Dined at Mumbai’s famous Pali Bhavan restaurant
• Received a Guard of Honour on arrival
• Met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost India-UAE relations

From strengthening diplomatic ties to bonding over cricket, Sheikh Hamdan’s India visit was filled with powerful moments that reflected friendship, culture, and shared goals between the two nations.

(Source: Agencies)