Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday to attend the first day of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 final Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
PM Modi greeted his Australian counterpart at the venue, the world’s largest stadium. Albanese will watch the first hour of action between India and Australia with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss and chose to bat against India in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Both Prime Ministers were greeted with applause as they completed a lap of honour at the stadium prior to the game.
Earlier, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi greeted PM Modi at the venue. The event was also attended by BCCI president Roger Binny and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
The Prime Minister of Australia came in India on Wednesday. Before the last Test, banners of Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart were erected at the Narendra Modi stadium.
India now holds a 2-1 advantage in the series. However, the hosts must win the final Test in order to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final, when they will face Australia in London beginning on June 7.
“Cricket is something that unites both countries, and it will be amazing to see the leaders of India and Australia on the first day of the matches in Ahmedabad,” Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell said.
Albanese joined Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat in Holi celebrations at Raj Bhawan in the state capital Gandhinagar yesterday.
“It is an honour to celebrate Holi in Ahmedabad, India. “Holi’s message of regeneration through the triumph of good over evil is an eternal reminder for all of us,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted with colourful images of Holi celebrations with flowers and colours.
