Cricketing legend Ravi Shastri has officially joined Bat For a Chance (BFAC) as the charity’s Founding Patron, marking a transformative new chapter for the UK-based organisation using cricket as a force for global social change.
The announcement made this morning took place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Day 3 of the England vs India Test Match, inside the Ravi Shastri Suite, hosted in collaboration with Visionare Entertainment.
Shastri’s impact on the global game spans more than four decades — from his role in India’s iconic 1983 World Cup-winning team to coaching the national side through a golden era. Known worldwide as one of the sport’s most authoritative and unifying voices, his decision to join Bat For a Chance underscores the growing importance of cricket-led development programs and the need to reach young people who are too often excluded from the game.
“Cricket has given me so much in life — and throughout my career, I’ve seen first-hand the power it has to inspire, to teach, and to bring people together,” said Shastri. “Legacy isn’t just about what you’ve done on the field — it’s about what you enable others to do. Supporting Bat For a Chance is my way of helping the next generation not just play the game, but learn life lessons through it. We are using cricket not just to give young people something to play, but something to believe in. That’s something I care deeply about, and I’m honoured to support amd help guide this mission.”
Founded in 2019 by then 14-year-old Will Gaffney, BFAC has grown from a grassroots kit recycling effort into one of the most dynamic organisations in global cricket philanthropy. In just five years, it has delivered equipment to 75+ projects in 21 countries, positively impacting more than 20,000 children and young people. The charity’s flagship equipment redistribution programme continues to thrive, reaching communities in places as diverse as Rwanda, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and East Timor.
In 2023, BFAC launched the Cricket for Social Change Fund, a new grant-giving arm supporting scalable, locally led programmes around the world. Early projects include:
- Girls’ cricket infrastructure in the Caribbean, integrated with education and parental workshops
- A bat refurbishment centre in Sri Lanka, teaching carpentry skills and supporting equipment access
- A coaching and life skills programme in South Africa focused on tackling youth unemployment
- Refugee cricket programmes across the UK and Europe
These initiatives reflect BFAC’s belief in cricket as more than a game — as a vehicle for education, empowerment, and opportunity.
“Welcoming Ravi as Founding Patron is a defining moment for Bat For a Chance,” said Gaffney. “His legacy in the game is extraordinary — but it’s his belief in cricket as a tool for transformation that makes this partnership so meaningful. With Ravi’s guidance, we hope to reach even more communities and unlock even more potential in the years ahead.”
Bat For a Chance continues to work with local NGOs, national governing bodies, commercial partners, and cricketing legends to ensure the game reaches those who need it most. Existing collaborators include Kumar Sangakkara, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Hayley Matthews, the Rajasthan Royals, JM Finn and the Desert Vipers.
With Ravi Shastri now joining the fold, BFAC is poised to scale its global mission further — creating lasting impact and expanding access to cricket for those who might otherwise never have had the chance to play.
For media enquiries, interviews, or to find out more about Bat For a Chance’s work, please contact: Will@batforachance.org.uk
