Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese reached the Narendra Modi stadium at Motera in Gujarat on Thursday morning to watch fourth Test match between India and Australia.
The leaders also did a did a lap of honour around the packed venue in a golf cart fashioned to look like a chariot as thousands cheered on them. It was reportedly the same golf car on which Modi took a lap of honour during National Games at the same venue.
This is Albanese's maiden visit to India and coincides with the ‘75 years of friendship' between both countries. BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny felicitated PM Modi and PM Albanese respectively.
A traditional song and dance added to the charm of the event. The captains of both teams, Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith, were also presented with their Test caps by their respective prime ministers. All four then posed for pictures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Australian captain Steve Smith before the start of the fourth test cricket match between India and Australia | PTI
Albanese arrived in Gujarat on Wednesday and attended some programmes, while Modi reached the state late last night.
There was tight security at the stadium as the Special Protection Group (SPG) hadtaken charge of the venue. As per reports, 75,000 tickets collectively of prices Rs 200 and Rs 350 have been sold.
Incredible moments 👏👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese take a lap of honour at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad@narendramodi | @PMOIndia | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @GCAMotera pic.twitter.com/OqvNFzG9MD
Aussies win the toss
Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat. India made one change to the line-up after losing to Australia by nine wickets in Indore. Mohammed Siraj has been replaced by pacer Mohammed Shami.
India need to win the match to join Australia in the final of the World Test Championship at The Oval in June. "It does look like a nice surface," said Smith. "It's hard to say until we get out in the middle but it does look like a good wicket."
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma expressed hope that the match would last full five days. "I don't know when it's going to start turning. But yeah, it looks a good pitch. I hope it stays like that for all five days," he told reporters.
