"1.4 billion Indians are strongly rooting for the Men in Blue" - PM Narendra Modi on BGT 2024-25
Following the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series opener against Australia in Perth, Team India players met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The interaction took place at the Parliament House in Canberra.
Albanese shared pictures of himself standing alongside the Indian team on X. He also mentioned that during his conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he backed the Australian team to do well against the visitors. He wrote:
"Big challenge ahead for the PM’s XI at Manuka Oval this week against an amazing Indian side. But as I said to PM @narendramodi, I’m backing the Aussies to get the job done."
Responding to the post, Modi expressed his delight at India's stunning 295-run victory in the opening Test. Stating that the entire country is backing the Indian team, he commented:
"Glad to see my good friend Prime Minister @AlboMP 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."
The two-day practice match between India A and the Prime Minister's XI will kick off in Canberra on November 30. The second Test of the BGT 2024-25 will be a pink-ball affair, set to be played in Adelaide from December 6.
"As if we weren't suffering enough at that point" - Australian PM on Virat Kohli's century in Perth Test of BGT 2024-25
While interacting with India's ace batter Virat Kohli, Australian PM Anthony Albanese congratulated him on his century in the Perth Test. The seasoned campaigner remained unbeaten on 100 in Inda's second innings, registering a Test century after 491 days.
In a video surfaced on social media, Albanese can be heard saying to Kolhi:
"Good ton in Perth. As if we weren't suffering enough at that point."
Kohli responded to the comments by replying:
"Always got to add some spice."
India got a big boost ahead of the second Test of BGT 2024-25, with skipper Rohit Sharma joining the squad. He missed the first Test due to paternity leave.