Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese graced the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad to celebrate ‘75 years of friendship’ between both countries. Australia captain Steve Smith elected to bat first against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Both the prime ministers were greeted with loud cheers before the start of the match as they took a lap of honour across the massive sports arena to celebrate 75 years of friendship between India and Australia.
The hosts made just one change with Mohammed Shami replacing pacer Mohammad Siraj, who was given rest considering his workload. Australia made no changes to their winning team from the third Test.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav. Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was welcomed by Prime Minister Modi at the venue.
Both the prime ministers exchanged hugs and greeted each other. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat were also present.
Ahead of the match, a special ceremony took place where PM Modi and his counterpart took a lap of honour at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny presented framed artwork representing 75 years of friendship through cricket to PM Modi and PM Albanese respectively.
As India captain Rohit Sharma arrived on the stage, PM Modi shook hands and presented him with the Test cap. PM Modi also greeted Aussie skipper Steve Smith.
PM Modi presented the Test cap to India captain Rohit Sharma while the Australian PM handed the ‘Baggy Green’ to Aussie skipper Steve Smith.
The four posed for cameras with their hands held together in a heartwarming moment.
Prime Minister Modi and Australian PM Albanese has seen together at the final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Ahemedad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest stadium.
PM Modi also shared some pictures from the match and captioned them, “Some more glimpses from Ahmedabad. It is cricket all over!”
ANI