Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concluding a tri-country tour with a visit to New Zealand. On his docket are bilateral talks on trade, commerce and defense.
India’s Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which is considered iconic by cricket lovers for being the birthplace of the sport’s Test format.
The two leaders jointly released the ‘India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap’ which promotes cooperation in areas like training, sports science, and staging major sporting events along with further opportunities in trade, tourism, and investment.
The politicians were joined by several Australian sportspersons, including cricket legends Lisa Sthalekar and Steve Waugh.
“For any Indian, coming to the MCG evokes two emotions at the same time. The first is a thrill of an India-Australia cricket match. The second is the realisation that in both countries cricket is not just a sport, it’s a shared passion,” Modi said at the event.
The Indian leader met young sports talent, signed their jerseys and high-fived Australia’s tourism mascot ‘Ruby the Roo’.
In a significant announcement, Albanese unveiled that the opening match of next season’s Big Bash League (BBL) — Australia’s premier men’s Twenty20 competition — will take place in the southern Indian city of Chennai on December 12.
The match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will see the BBL become the first foreign franchise league to play in India, as Australia looks to tap into the South Asian nation’s mammoth cricket market.
“I am excited to expand cooperation with India on sport, which not only brings joy to Australians but boosts trade, tourism and investment,” Albanese said.
The Australian Football League (AFL) also announced a long-term strategy to grow Australian Rules Football in India at the MCG evet.
“A few years ago, there were 150 people in India playing Australian Rules football. Today there are 10,000 players across 11 states, and I know that the AFL are big believers in that growth, and they’re investing in it,” Albanese said.