The Duchess Of Cambridge enjoys a game of cricket at Mumbai recreation ground, the Oval Maidan.
Prince William and Kate Middleton tour India
03:02 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

NEW: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play cricket with Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai

Royal couple will visit five regions during their tour of India and Bhutan

It is the first time the couple has visited either nation

CNN  — 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge played cricket with one of India’s biggest stars, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, in a Mumbai park as they began their royal tour of India and Bhutan on Sunday.

Before a crowd of onlookers in Mumbai’s Oval Maidan recreation ground, Kate bravely wielded a cricket bat as the former Indian captain, one of the game’s greats, bowled a delivery to her.

Prince William also took his turn at the batting crease, demonstrating his prowess at the sport, which is hugely popular in India, as the royal couple participated in a number of sporting activities with local children.

Earlier, the couple began their first visit to India by laying a wreath for the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where dozens of people were killed during a three-day siege by Islamist terrorists in November 2008.

They also met with hotel staff who helped protect guests during the attacks, Kensington Palace said on its Twitter feed.

After the sporting session in the park, the couple visited the city’s ancient Banganga water tank, where they were greeted with dancers, and presented with garlands to scatter on the water.

In the evening, William and Kate were scheduled to attend a Bollywood gala, to raise funds for charities they had met during during the day.

On their arrival in Mumbai, the royal couple were informed of the deadly temple fire in Kollam, where scores of people perished Sunday.

The Duke and Duchess were “saddened by the news and send their thoughts to all who are assisting the victims,” a spokesman for Kensington Palace said.

The next legs of the tour will see them visit India’s capital, New Delhi, Kaziranga National Park in the state of Assam, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, and Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.

The tour follows criticism of Prince William in Britain’s tabloid press in recent months over perceptions he was slacking off from his responsibilities as a senior royal.

Last month, his younger brother, Prince Harry, made a five-day visit to the neighboring Himalayan nation of Nepal.

CNN’s Max Foster contributed to this report.