Harry Kane has never been shy about showing a different side of himself. As England’s football squad took a break from their usual World Cup preparations for a cricket themed team bonding session, the prolific goalscorer made the most of it.
He posted a handful of photos from the session on social media, in which he is seen holding a bat and clearly enjoying himself. Kane then took a step forward and tagged both England Cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a tongue in cheek offer.
“Always ready if needed, @englandcricket & @RCBTweets! 👀😂,” he wrote on X.
Kane and Kohli: A friendship with mutual admiration
Just days earlier, Kane had taken to Instagram to congratulate Virat Kohli following RCB’s title defence in the IPL 2026 final. The duo shares a strong friendship, which led the England skipper to share a heartwarming message for the RCB talisman.
“What a player and what a knock @virat.kohli! Congrats @royalchallengers.bengaluru on making it back to back IPL titles,” he wrote, after Kohli had played an unbeaten 75 to seal RCB’s five wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
RCB’s back to back success puts them in rare company. For 18 years, the franchise had chased its first title, finally breaking through in 2025. Defending it in 2026 placed them alongside Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the only franchises to have won consecutive IPL championships.
What next for Kane and Kohli?
Kane remains the central figure in England’s plans for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It remains to be seen if the Bayern Munich forward can guide the Three Lions to global glory for the first time since 1966.
Meanwhile, Kohli is nursing a hamstring injury and should be out for at least six weeks. He has been rested for the upcoming Afghanistan ODI series but could be back in contention for the trip to England in mid July.
The bottom line
Kane with a bat in hand. Kohli with a trophy aloft. A friendship forged in mutual admiration.
The England captain is joking, of course. He’s not really offering his services to RCB or England Cricket. But the sentiment is real: respect between two of the greatest athletes of their generation.
One is chasing World Cup glory. The other is recovering from injury. Both are champions.
And Kane’s message was clear: always ready. Whether on the football pitch or the cricket crease. Even if it’s just for fun.
