Last Update: March 09, 2023, 09:21 AM IST
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese as they arrive at the stadium to watch the fourth cricket Test match between India and Australia, in Ahmedabad (AP)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated the bond between the two cricketing nations ahead of the start of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad.
prime minister of india Narendra Modi And his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese were present on the opening day of the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Celebration was in the air on Thursday but security has been beefed up for the visit of the two prime ministers. Modi and Albanese’s visit is part of the celebration of 75 years of India-Australia friendship.
While PM Modi visited the renovated 1.10 lakh capacity stadium during the inauguration of the National Games last year, this is the first time he will watch a Test match after it was renamed.
Both the PMs are taken for a tour of the stadium in a gold plated golf car.
IND v OFF, 4th Test – Live
The Special Protection Group (SPG) has taken charge of the stadium and 100,000 people are expected to turn up on the first day, surpassing the maximum attendance (88,000–90,000) at Eden Gardens during the Christmas Test matches, before Its capacity should be reduced. 67,000 to Rs.
A portable stage was set up at one end in front of the sitescreen for a short ceremony featuring Falu before the start of the match.
Both the Prime Ministers also did an honorary lap of the ground before the toss.
Steve Smith, standing in for Pat Cummins, won the flip of a unique coin made for the occasion, and announced that Australia would bat first and that they had an unchanged side from the previous match. At the time of the toss, Rohit Shamra said that instead of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami got a place in the playing eleven.
Asked whether the presence of two heads of state and a near-full stadium puts more pressure on the players, India skipper Rohit Sharma said his men are focussing on the job at hand.
“Yes, the Prime Ministers of both the countries are coming. Obviously, these are exciting times. For the players, we have a job on our hands. So it’s just all around that.. how are we going to come out on top in this test match and do everything possible to win this test.
Head coach Rahul Dravid had earlier said that large crowds would not put pressure on the Indian players as many of them are used to playing in front of packed stadiums.
(with inputs from agencies)
get the latest cricket news Here
