The Indian cricket team had an unforgettable meeting with the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney ahead of the fifth and final Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The match is scheduled to begin on Friday, January 3, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
Team India’s second interaction with Australian Prime Minister 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 more photos from the interaction, highlighting moments with players from both teams, including separate snaps with the Indian standout Virat Kohli and an Australian legend Glenn McGrath.
This meeting was not the first between Albanese and the Indian cricket team during this series. The the team had previously communicated with the Australian Prime Minister during a warm-up game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. These engagements highlight the significance of cricket as a medium for fostering cross-cultural ties and mutual respect between the two nations.
Indian team players meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of final Test match 🙌#Cricket #AUSvIND #ViratKohli𓃵 #AnthonyAlbanese pic.twitter.com/Xg1JLHeGjh
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 1, 2025
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Prime Minister Albanese unveils plans for bill involving Jasprit Bumrah
Amid the gathering at Kirribilli House, Prime Minister Albanese added a humorous touch to the proceedings by mentioning India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Albanese noted, “We could pass a law here that says he has to throw with his left hand or from one step. Every time he came to bowl it was very exciting,” This light-hearted comment reflects the Prime Minister’s admiration for Bumrah’s sheer dominance in the ongoing series. Known for his deadly accuracy, deceptive variations and unrelenting aggression, Bumrah has constantly troubled the Australian batting order.
Bumrah has been the backbone of India’s bowling attack through BGT. His incredible performance saw him take 30 wickets in four Tests at a stellar average of 12.83, including three five-wicket hauls. Bumrah’s ability to adapt to different conditions and dismantle even the most fearsome batting line-ups made him an indispensable asset. However, India’s bowling unit struggled to provide adequate support, with Bumrah shouldering a disproportionate share of the work.
India’s uphill battle to save the series
India face a monumental task ahead of the final Test. A win in Sydney would not only level the series at 2-2, but also keep alive their hopes of securing a place in World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. At stake is the team’s legacy of not losing a Test series against Australia since 2014-15. However, India’s batting line-up was inconsistent, with only a few players able to withstand Australia’s relentless onslaught. While Bumrah was exceptional, the lack of contribution from other bowlers and the breakdown of the batting unit left India trailing 1-2. To turn the tide, the team will need collective brilliance in Sydney, particularly from the batting line-up.
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