Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese attended the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Narendra Modi stadium together on the historic occasion of celebrating 75 years of cricketing friendship.
Cricket played the role of a great unifier as the PMs of both countries walked a shared lap of honour around the stadium amid loud acclaim from cheering crowds, despite the fact that both countries have been involved in an exciting cricketing rivalry over the last decades. The two premiers met players from both sides and stood alongside their respective teams as the national anthems were played. Befittingly, a specially minted coin to mark 75 years of friendship between both nations through cricket was tossed up to get the Test underway.
Posting a picture of himself with PM Modi, Albanese tweeted, “Celebrating 75 years of friendship through cricket with Prime Minister @narendramodi.” PM Modi responded to his tweet, “Cricket, a common passion in India and Australia! Glad to be in Ahmedabad with my good friend, PM @AlboMP to witness parts of the India-Australia Test Match.”
Thousands came stadium that was abuzz with celebrations
The two PMs were welcomed at the stadium with framed pieces of art. The Australian PM was congratulated by BCCI president Roger Binny, and PM Modi was congratulated by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. A cultural show including dancers to a song by Grammy-winning artist Falguni Shah aka Falu was presented after that.
Even as both PMs handed over caps to the captains of their respective teams, and the captains proceeded for a toss, the two PMs were walked through the ‘Friendship Hall of Fame’ – a pictorial compilation of the rich cricketing history between India and Australia.