Prior to the Prime Minister's XI match against India on November 30, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted a reception for the Indian cricket team in the Australian Parliament on Thursday. India leads the 5-Test BGT 2024 Test series 1-0 after a 295-run win in Perth.
The reception acted as a diplomatic occasion to emphasize India and Australia's strong bilateral relations, with cricket being a shared love.
Prime Minister Albanese spoke with the Indian players, praising their recent triumph in Perth and wishing them luck in their remaining matches.
"Big challenge ahead for the PM’s XI at Manuka Oval this week against an amazing Indian side. But as I said to PM Narendra Modi, I’m backing the Aussies to get the job done," wrote PM Albanese on X.
India will play a two-day day-night practice game against the PM’s XI in Canberra starting on November 30 ahead of the second Test of the BGT 2024 in Adelaide,which will be played with pink-ball under lights from December 6 onwards.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via a post on X, expressed his support for team India ahead of the match, while also hailing PM Albanese for hosting Rohit Sharma and co.
"Glad to see my good friend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with the Indian and PM’s XI teams. Team India is off to a great start in the series and 1.4 billion Indians are strongly rooting for the Men in Blue. I look forward to exciting games ahead," PM Modi posted.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma spoke at the Australian Parliament, highlighting the historical significance of the India-Australia cricket rivalry and the Indian team's dedication to delighting supporters from both countries.
"India and Australia. We go back a long way, whether it's sports, whether it is trade relations. Over the years, we have enjoyed coming to this part of the world, playing cricket, and enjoying a variety of cultures in the country. And obviously, Australia is one of the most challenging... players to come and play cricket because of the passion people have, and the competitiveness that every player possesses. Which is why for us, it's always been a great challenge to come here and play cricket," Rohit said in his speech.
