‘Ab ye stadium me lgegi photo’ – Narendra Modi, Australian PM hand Test caps to Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith ahead of 4th BGT Test

Before the first day of the last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the players and sang the national anthems along with them. The two captains, Steve Smith and Rohit Sharma received the Test cap from their respective prime ministers, PM Albanese and PM Modi, before the toss.

The Indian Cricket Board president Roger Binny greeted the Australian PM, while the board secretary Jay Shah felicitated the Indian Prime Minister. In honour of the 75th anniversary of India and Australia’s relationship, Modi and Albanese also completed a lap of honour around the field.

On his first visit to India, Mr. Albanese will be accompanied by several significant Australian businessmen, such as Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Fortescue Metals CEO Andrew Forrest, and Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn. Mr. Albanese has planned to spend roughly an hour at the Ahmedabad stadium before heading for additional activities in Mumbai and Delhi.

We know what needs to be done: Rohit Sharma

On Wednesday, he went to Sabarmati Stadium and gave his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and other Indian freedom fighters. Later, he attended a cultural event on the occasion of Holi at the state governor’s home.

Australian stand-in skipper Smith won the toss and elected to bat first. The visitors were unchanged, while on the other hand, India brought back Mohammad Shami in place of Mohammad Siraj.

“We are going to have a bat, playing with the same team. Looks like a nice surface, does look like a good wicket. The guys performed well last week. We’ll wait and see (whether he will lead Australia in India again),” said Smith at the time of the toss.

“We would have batted first. We know what needs to be done. Siraj is rested and Shami is back. It’s always nice to have some time off. We need to regroup as a team, you can reflect on so many things. Not the surface what we saw in the first three Tests, looks a good pitch, I hope it stays the same for all five days,” said Rohit after loosing the toss.

Here’s how fans reacted to the ceremony: