Big step in India-Australia sports partnership! PM Modi and Anthony Albanese released new Sports Roadmap, first match of Big Bash League to be held in Chennai

Melbourne: India and Australia have taken a big step towards taking sports cooperation to new heights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday released a new Sports Roadmap for sports cooperation between the two countries at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this roadmap will strengthen cooperation in areas such as sports training, player development, sports science and technology, sports industry and investment. It aims to further expand the long-term partnership between the two countries through sports.

Historic match of BBL will be held in Chennai

The biggest highlight of this announcement was that the inaugural match of the Australian Men’s Big Bash League (BBL) will be played at M.A. Chennai in December. Will be played at Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk).

This match will be between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. According to the Australian government, this will be the first overseas cricket league match to be held in India.

‘Good Day Namaste’ will be the main attraction of the festival

The Australian government said that this match will be the main attraction of the week-long ‘Good Day Namaste’ celebrations to be organized across India. Various programs related to Australia’s culture, business and sports will be organized in this event.

Many stalwarts were present in the program

Apart from Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Albanese, Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allen, Australia’s former World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh and former women’s captain Lisa Sthalekar were also present at the event organized at MCG.

Youth Sports Festival will also be organized

Under the ongoing roadmap, it has also been decided to organize India-Australia Youth Sports Festival. Both the leaders welcomed this cooperation, calling sports a strong medium to connect people.

Prime Minister Modi said that this roadmap will give a new direction to the sports partnership between the two countries. He also congratulated Australia on winning the Women’s Cricket World Cup and said that India and Australia are entering an important decade of international sporting events.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the two countries are united by a shared passion for sports and the roadmap will further strengthen capacity building, technology, research and bilateral cooperation. He said that this will also boost trade, tourism and investment.

During the event, the two leaders also met young players participating in exhibition matches of Kabaddi, Australian football and cricket.

Also read: Wimbledon Juniors 2026: India’s name echoes in Wimbledon after 36 years! After all, who is Arnav Paparkar, who created history?