The Indian cricket team had a memorable meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The match is set to begin on Friday, January 3, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Groun?d.

Team India’s second interaction with Australian PM Anthony Albanese

The event at Kirribilli House brought together players, officials, and other distinguished guests, celebrating the spirit of cricket as a unifying force. Albanese shared multiple photographs from the interaction, highlighting moments with players from both teams, including separate snapshots with Indian stalwart Virat Kohli and Australian legend Glenn McGrath.

This meeting was not the first between Albanese and the Indian cricket team during this series. The squad previously interacted with the Australian Prime Minister during a warmup game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. These engagements underline th??e significance of cricket as a medium for fostering cross-cultural ties and mutual respect between the two nations.

Team India players meet Australia's prime minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the final Test match 🙌#Cricket #AUSvIND #ViratKohli𓃵 #AnthonyAlbanese pic.twitter.com/Xg1JLHeGjh

— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 1, 2025

Also READ: AUS vs?? IND: Michael Clarke predicts Sydney Test as a fa?rewell game for an Australian veteran

PM Albanese reveals plans for a law featuring Jasprit Bumrah

Amid the camaraderie at Kirribilli House, PM Albanese added a humorous touch to the proceedings by referencing India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Albanese remarked, “We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step. Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting,” This lighthearted comment reflects the Prime Minister’s admiration for Bumrah’s sheer dom?inance in the ongoing series. Known for his lethal accuracy, deceptive variations, and unrelenting aggression, Bumrah has consistently troubled the Australian batting order.

Bumrah has been the backbone of India’s bowling attack throughout the BGT. His incredible performance has yielded 30 wickets in four Tests at a stellar average of 12.83, including three five-wicket hauls. Bumrah’s ability to adapt to varying conditions and dismantle even the most formidable batting lineups has m?ade him an indispensable asset. However, the Indian bowling unit has struggled to provide adequate support, with Bumrah carrying a disproportionate share of the workload.

India’s uphill battle to salvage the series

India faces a monumental task heading into the final Test. A win in Sydney would not only level the series at 2-2 but also keep their hopes alive for securing a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. The team’s legacy of not losing a Test series to Australia since 2014-15 is at stake. However, the Indian batting lineu?p has been inconsistent, with only a few players managing to withstand Australia’s relentless bowling attack. While Bumrah has been exceptional, the lack of contributions from other bowlers and the failure of the batting unit have left India trailing 1-2. To turn the tide, the team will need collective brilliance in Sydney, particularly from the batting lineup.

Also READ: Who will advance to?? the WTC final 2025 if India and Australia end with equal points???

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On Thursday (November 28), Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted the Indian cricket team at Parliament House in Canberra. The event was marked by camaraderie and mutual respect as the Australian leader met with the players. PM Albanese praised key players Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah for their contributions to cricket, acknowledging their impact on the game and their unique skills. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, introduced the squad to the Prime Minister, who ??took time to share personal remarks and compliments with the cricketers.

Australian PM and Virat Kohli share amusing exchange

During the introductions, PM Albanese joked about Kohli’s dominance over the Australian team in recent years. Congratulating Kohli on his century in the Perth Test, Albanese quipped, “Good ton in Perth, as if we weren’t suffering enough at that point,” Kohli, known for his sharp wit, responded with a grin, saying, “Always gotta add some spice to it,” The exchange drew laughter and highlighted the friendly rivalry between In?dia and Australia, as well as the cultural connection to India’s love for spice. The banter underscored the mutua??l respect shared between Kohli and the Australian PM.

Here’s the video:

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets the Indian Cricket Team at Parliament House, chatting with Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli. #ausvind #BGT2024@SBSNews pic.twitter.com/iyPJINCR7R

— Naveen Razik (@naveenjrazik) November 28, 2024

Also READ: AUS vs IND 20??24: Australia add Tasmanian all-rounder for Adelaide Test amid Mitchell Marsh’s fitness concerns

Team India prepares for crucial pink-ball warm-up match

The Indian cricket team arrived in Canberra ahead of their two-day pink-ball warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval. Scheduled for November 30 and December 1, this match is critical as it will be India’s only practice game before the day-night Test in Adelaide starting Decemb??er 6. The pink-ball conditions are expected to pose unique challenges, making this match an essential part of India’s preparation.

Kohli’s resurgence and Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership shine in Perth

India’s dominant 295-run victory over Australia in the Perth Test was a testament to both individual brilliance and team effort. Bumrah, leading in Rohit’s absence, showcased exceptional leadership skills. Meanwhile, Kohli rediscovered his form with a masterful 30th Test century, steering India to a commanding position that ultimately proved to be enough for the visitors to registered one of the famous wins outside India. The win, India’s largest on Australian soil, has raised hopes of a strong performance in the upcoming matches.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Which ?player will ??Rohit Sharma replace in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval?

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Australia‘s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has cleared his stand on cricketer Usman Khawaja‘s stance in the face of a dispute with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Notably, the Australian opener has been barred by the supreme cricketing body from showcasing messages of equality and freedom, including a dove logo and an olive branch on his shoes, during the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.

Australia PM Anthony Albanese on Usman Khawaja’s standoff with ICC

Albanese acknowledged Khawaja during the annual New Year’s Day reception at Kirribilli House, which he hosted, where both the Australian and Pakistan teams were present ahead of the final red-ball match. The PM praised Khawaja for his courage in standing up for human values, expressing admiration for the juggernaut’s courage and the team’s collective support.

” I’d like to congratulate [ Usman Khawaja] for the courage he has shown standing up for human values. He has shown courage, and the fact that the team has backed him in is a great thing,” Albanese said.

Albanese on David Warner

The upcoming Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) between Australia and Pakistan will be the Aussie stalwart David Warner‘s final red-ball game. Acknowledging the significance of the emotional occasion, PM Albanese weighed in on the speciality of the moment when both Khawaja and David Warner will step into the SCG.

“When Ussie and Dave go out, it will be a very special moment, when you walk on to the SCG,” Australia PM added.

Also WATCH: David Warner makes an emotional appeal for the re?turn of his baggy green ahead of SCG Test �?AUS VS PAK, 2023-24

Pat Cummins’ opinion on Khawaja and ICC’s dispute

Recently, Australian captain Pat Cummins also voiced his support for his Khwaja, affirming that the 37-year-old’s endeavour to highlight the humanitarian crisis should not be deemed as offensive. Cummins’ backing recognized the importance and validity of drawing attention to broader social issues, emphasizing a supportive team dynamic.

“We really support Uzzy. He’s standing up for what he believes, and I think he’s done it really respectfully,” Cummins??? said during evening of the ending day of second Test at MCG.

Also READ: India vs Pakistan or Ind?ia vs Australia? Gautam Gambhir picks ??the top rivalry in cricket

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The rivalry between England and Australia on the cricket field is well-known and is considered to be one of the best in the Test format. The recent funny banter between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese further highlighted the passion the two nations share for the sport. It is worth mentioning that the playful exchange between Sunak and Albanese took?? place during a meeting on the ??sidelines of a NATO event.

With England’s cricket team currently lagging behind Australia in the Ashes 2023 series, Albanese presented Sunak with a piece of paper displaying the scoreline, which read “2-1 (Aus-England)”, as the two representatives of their respective nations posed for photographs. Sunak quickly retaliated with a countermove to the cheeky gesture of the Australian PM and produced a photograph capturing the jubilant celebrations of England batters Mark Wood and Chris Woakes after their victory in the third Test? match on Sunday at Headingley in Leeds.

However, the banter didn’t end there, and Albanese took the exchange one step further by pulling out a photo of England’s wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow‘s controversial dismissal to tease Sunak. The UK PM at first seemed baffled but then responded with a quick-witted reference to the infamous ball-tampering scandal committed by the Australian team in 2018 and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t bring my sandpaper with me.” The clip of the same was shared by Aussie PM on h??is official Twitter handle and has ever since gone viral on?? the internet.

Here’s the video:

And of course we discussed the #Ashes pic.twitter.com/FeKESkb062

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 11, 2023

Speaking of the ongoing Ashes 2023, Australia currently leads the five-match series against England (2-1), with the visitors emerging victorious in the first two Tests and the hosts pulling off a close win in the third game. The fo??urth Test between the arch-rivals will commence from July ??19 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

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Before the action in the 4th Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, March 9, there was a display of cricket diplomacy. The occasion marked 75 years of the relationship between the two countries, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese were the special guests at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.

Ravi Shastri hosted a mini ceremony that included the two Prime Ministers and the two team captains befo??re the?? toss.

During the ceremony, PM Modi presented Rohit Sharma with a special Test cap, while PM Anthony presented Steve Smith with a new Baggy Green. The Indi??an Prime Minister the?n urged them all to pose for photographers with raised arms.

The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji presents the special cap to #TeamIndia captain @ImRo45 while The Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese presents the cap to Australia captain Steve Smith.@narendramodi | @PMOIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/8RH70LOx0v

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023

After the toss w?as done, PM Modi and PM Anthony joined the two teams during the national anthems. Captain Rohit Sharma introduced all the India players to PM Modi, while Steve Smith did the same to PM Anthony.

A special welcome & special handshakes! 👏

The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese meet #TeamIndia & Australia respectively. @narendramodi | @PMOIndia | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kFZsEO1H12

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023

Smith won the toss and opted to bat first, giving Australia an early advantage in the game. India made only one change to their XI, resting Mohammed Siraj and bringing back Mohammed Shami. The visiting camp showed conf??idence by going in with an unchanged XI.

Teams for the 4th India vs Australia Test

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, ?Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat (wk),? 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 (wk), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyo??n.

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