Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese engaged in some cricket diplomacy as they watched the opening session of the first day’s play of the fourth Test match between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
The world’s largest cricket stadium was choc-a-bloc as the two leaders arrived at the venue for the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and The Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese have arrived at the stadium! @narendramodi | @PMOIndia | @AlboMP | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/5bijT2ENJ5
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
While PM Modi presented a special cap to Team India captain Rohit Sharma, the Australian PM also gave a special baggy green to stand-in Aussie skipper Steve Smith.
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji presents the special cap to #TeamIndia captain @ImRo45 while The Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese presents the cap to Australia captain Steve Smith.@narendramodi | @PMOIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/8RH70LOx0v
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah also presented a framed artwork to PM Modi, celebrating 75 years of friendship with Australia through cricket.
Mr. Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, presents framed artwork to Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, celebrating 75 years of friendship with Australia through cricket. @narendramodi | @PMOIndia | @JayShah | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/nmDJwq2Yer
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
BCCI President Roger Binny too presented a framed artwork representing 75 years of friendship through cricket to Australian PM Albanese.
Mr. Roger Binny, President, BCCI presents framed artwork representing 75 years of friendship through cricket to Honourable Prime Minister of Australia Mr. Anthony Albanese#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/Qm1dokNRPY
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
The toss, which was won by the visiting skipper, took place with a specially-minted coin which celebrates 75 years of friendship between the two nations.
Special Coin Toss 👏 👏
Australia have elected to bat against #TeamIndia in the fourth #INDvAUS Test. pic.twitter.com/psZeo6z5HV
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
Both PM Modi and Albanese then met the Indian and Australian teams before the start of the game.
A special welcome & special handshakes! 👏
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese meet #TeamIndia & Australia respectively. @narendramodi | @PMOIndia | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kFZsEO1H12
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
The two leaders also took a round of the massive stadium and greeted the crowd.
WATCH | PM @narendramodi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) greet the crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium. pic.twitter.com/8U3noTrp7h
— Prasar Bharati News Services & Digital Platform (@PBNS_India) March 9, 2023
The presence of the two leaders generated some electrifying energy at the stadium which had witnessed massive queues of spectators since early morning.
Pretty extraordinary – Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi do a lap of honour in a chariot at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Deep, reverberating roar through the stadium pic.twitter.com/ipc031R4AU
— Stephen Dziedzic (@stephendziedzic) March 9, 2023
The presence of the two leaders at the match showcased the shared passion for cricket as a hallmark of a long-standing friendship between the two countries.
Celebrating 75 years of friendship though cricket with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi 🇦🇺🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gk3m3XzEBe
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 9, 2023
The Australian Prime Minister was on Wednesday accorded a grand welcome on his arrival in Ahmedabad as he kicked off his four-day visit, the first by an Australian Prime Minister to India since 2017.
“An incredible welcome to Ahmedabad, India. The beginning of an important trip for Australia-India relations,” he tweeted after landing in Gujarat.
He will now travel Mumbai and New Delhi in a bid to further deepen the strategic, economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries regarded as close friends and partners.
In New Delhi, PM Modi and Albanese will hold the India-Australia Annual Leaders’ Summit which will focus on trade and investment, renewable energy, technology, defence and security cooperation.
Also Read: Australian PM arrives to a grand welcome in India, celebrates Holi in Ahmedabad
