16 April 2026
In the heart of Mumbai, where the skyline meets the dreams of thousands of young girls living in underserved communities, a new innings has begun.
The OSCAR Foundation, in collaboration with the MCC Foundation recently hosted a landmark cricket festival at the iconic Cricket Club of India (CCI) with teams from The Right Pitch. This wasn’t just a sports meet; it was a celebration of the “Cricket Unites” initiative, a project dedicated to proving that for the girls of Mumbai, no dream is out of reach.
The atmosphere at the CCI was electric as girls from OSCAR and The Right Pitch took to the field. Adding to the gravity of the day were two true gentlemen of the game: Rahul Dravid and Mark Nicholas.
The legendary “Wall” of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid, didn’t just talk about technique; he spoke about life. He urged the young athletes to stay committed to their education and use sport as a tool to build a better future. Mark Nicholas echoed this sentiment, reminding everyone that cricket is, at its heart, about friendship and community. This joyful festival of cricket was delivered by the incredible MCC Foundation team, Vicky, Izzy, Berry and Daisie.
While the boundaries and wickets were exciting, the true impact of the Cricket Unites initiative happened off the pitch. Led by Angus Berry, Chief Executive of the MCC Foundation and supported by Barclays, the programme uses cricket to tackle real-world challenges for girls.
By engaging in weekly cricket sessions, these girls are learning to:
“We are deeply grateful to the MCC Foundation for believing in OSCAR’s vision and to Barclays for investing in the futures of these young girls.” Ashok Rathod
A Force for Meaningful Change
As Lucinda Sowerbutts from OSCAR Foundation noted, “Today, we have witnessed the power of cricket to create change in young lives where opportunities are scarce.”
The day concluded with a special reception hosted by the British Deputy High Commission, where Jamie Scattergood (Deputy Head of Mission) called upon the community to think deeper about how we can continue to harness cricket as a force for social transformation.
As the sun set over the stadium, every girl left with more than just a medal or a certificate; they left with the knowledge that the field belongs to them. With the continued support of the MCC Touring team, Barclays volunteers, and the dedicated team at OSCAR, we are not just coaching cricketers, we are building the leaders of tomorrow.
Join us in this journey. Whether through volunteering or sponsorship, you can help keep these dreams alive.
Read more about the Cricket Unites Programme
Read more from the MCC Foundation