Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the Indian cricket team to Parliament House on Wednesday, engaging in brief conversations with star players Rohit Sharma, JaspritBumrah, and ViratKohli. The team arrived in Canberra ahead of their two-day pink-ball practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI, starting on November 30.
This warm-up match comes on the heels of India’s impressive 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, boosting their confidence. The practice game will provide vital preparation for Rohit Sharma, who missed the opening Test and is eager for game time before the second Test in Adelaide on December 6.
In a video shared on social media, Rohit introduced his teammates to Albanese, who expressed excitement for the upcoming match. He acknowledged the challenge facing the PM’s XI against a formidable Indian side, stating, “Big challenge ahead… but I’m backing the Aussies to get the job done.”
Watch it here.
The last time India played a pink-ball Test in Australia, they suffered a historic low, being bowled out for just 36 runs. This practice match will be crucial for India as they aim to fine-tune their strategy and adapt to the unique demands of day-night cricket.