International music icon Ed Sheeran, on Monday, made a special visit to the Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he joined Rajasthan Royals players Riyan Parag and Tushar Deshpande for an impromptu game with the enthusiastic young trainees at the institute.

During the visit, Ed Sheeran, who is currently in India for his ongoing Mathematics Tour, was presented with a custom Rajasthan Royals jersey featuring Shane Warne’s name on the back and the spin legend’s iconic number ‘23’.

Warne, who happened to be good friends with Ed Sheeran, is a Royals legend and led the team to the Indian Premier League trophy in the inaugural season in 2008.

As a special tribute to his late friend, who passed away in 2022, Ed Sheeran decided to wear the same jersey as he traded in his signature guitar for a bat and engaged in a fun game of cricket.

The Grammy Winner, famed for his international hits like ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Perfect,’ also managed to leave Riyan Parag and Tushar Deshpande impressed with his skills with the willow while at it.

Before leaving, Sheeran also gifted Ipswich Town Football Club jerseys to Parag and Deshpande, reciprocating the sporting camaraderie. He also posed proudly with his Rajasthan Royals jersey, capping off a visit that seamlessly blended music and sport.

Ed Sheeran is an Ipswich Town fan and a shareholder of the Premier League club.