Last night, cricket lovers and enthusiasts were treated to a truly unforgettable evening as Steve Waugh, the legendary former Australian World Cup-winning captain, graced Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences for an exclusive Rendezvous session
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Steve Waugh captivated the audience with stories from his illustrious cricketing career, his deep and enduring connection with India, his inspiring charitable work with Udayan, and his newfound passion for photography. He also spoke about the exciting future of cricket, highlighting how China is actively building its national teams to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will be played in the T20 format — a development he is keenly following.
The evening’s conversation was expertly curated by Manish Tiwari, founder of Here and Now 365, who posed thoughtful and challenging questions that brought out many personal and profound insights from Steve. Manish introduced him affectionately as “Steve Da” — the name lovingly given to him by the children at Kolkata’s Udayan Home, setting the tone for a warm and deeply human conversation.
In around 30 minutes on stage, Steve demonstrated the intense focus, composed demeanour, and undiluted attention that earned him the nickname “The Iceman” — all while maintaining a powerful emotional undercurrent that left a lasting impression. He spoke candidly on most topics including India’s dominance of the sport,& its governance, his meeting with the late Mother Teresa and dwelled on the history and significance of the Ashes series. He recalled Malcom Marshall as being his strongest adversary & his cherished moments of lifting the Cricket World Cup in England in 1999, after beating Pakistan at Lords.
The event was sponsored by State Bank of India UK along with Rainforest Water, Aaj Tak, and NDTV 24×7.
For those looking to dive deeper into Steve’s passion for India and cricket, his documentary “Capturing Cricket: Steve Waugh in India”, available on Amazon Prime and IMDb, is a must-watch. It captures the spirit of cricket in India with the same magic and emotion that soccer holds in Brazil — moving through the bustling nooks, scenic meadows, and deserts of a cricket-obsessed nation.
It was an evening of conversations, cocktails, and cricketing inspiration — one that will be remembered by all who attended.
