The Indian cricket team had an unforgettable meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese in Sydney ahead of the fifth and final Test of 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 engagement is with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
The event at Kirribilli House brought together players, officials, and other distinguished guests, to celebrate the spirit of cricket as a unifying force. Albanese shared several photos from the match, showing moments with players from both teams, including separate photos with the Indian star. Virat Kohli is an Australian legend Glenn McGrath.
The meeting was not the first between the Albanese and the Indian cricket team during this period. The The group has already contacted the Prime Minister of Australia in a warm-up match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. These activities emphasize the importance of cricket as a means of strengthening cultural ties and mutual respect between the two countries.
Team India players meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before the final Test match 🙌#Cricket #AUSWIN #ViratKohli𓃵 #AnthonyAlbanese pic.twitter.com/Xg1JLHeGjh
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 1, 2025
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Michael Clarke predicts Sydney Test as farewell match for Australian veteran
PM Albanese unveils legal plans with Jasprit Bumrah
In the middle of the fellowship at Kirribilli House, Prime Minister Albanese added some humor to the proceedings by describing the Indian ace pacer. Jasprit Bumrah. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Albanese said, “We can put a rule here that he has to fall to the left or go down one step. Every time he comes to the plate he is very exciting,” This light-hearted comment reflects the Prime Minister's delight at Bumrah's great dominance in the ongoing series. Known for his blistering accuracy, deceptive range, and relentless aggression, Bumrah has consistently troubled the Australian batting order.
Bumrah has been the backbone of India's bowling throughout the BGT. His remarkable performance has produced 30 wickets in four Tests at an average of 12.83, including three three-wicket hauls. Bumrah's ability to adapt to different conditions and pull off even the toughest batting lines has made him so valuable. However, India's bowling team has struggled to provide enough support, with Bumrah shouldering the lion's share of the work.
India's uphill battle to save the series
India face a huge 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 a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 the last thing. The team's legacy of not losing a Test Series in Australia since 2014-15 is in jeopardy. However, India's batting line-up has been inconsistent, with few players able to withstand Australia's relentless attack. While Bumrah has been outstanding, the lack of contributions from other players and the failure of the batting line-up has left India behind at 1-2. To turn things around, the team will need some special talent in Sydney, especially from the batting line.