Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the final day of his three-day Australia visit, reiterating India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and expressing delight over Chennai hosting the opening fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2026-27 season.
BBL Opener in Chennai
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the BBL 2026-27 season would begin in India, with Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium hosting the opening match in December. Cricket Australia confirmed that the Melbourne Renegades will face the Perth Scorchers on December 12, marking the first BBL fixture played outside Australia.
PM Modi welcomed the development, stating that staging sporting events in India ensures massive reach and viewership. He said, "For any sporting league, hosting an event in India guarantees extensive reach and viewership."
India's Olympic and Commonwealth Games Aspirations
Addressing the gathering at the MCG, PM Modi highlighted India's sporting ambitions. "India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. We are also striving to host the Olympics in India in 2036. Brisbane will host the Olympics in 2032. Sports infrastructure will be developed on a mega scale to host these global events," he said.
Australian PM Albanese expressed support for India's bid, saying, "With India hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Australia hosting the 2032 Olympics, and India bidding for the 2036 Olympics, which I'm certain Australia will support, there is a decade of opportunity ahead."
Cricket as a Bridge Between Nations
PM Modi described the MCG as evoking two emotions for Indians: the thrill of an India-Australia contest and the realisation that cricket is a shared passion connecting both nations. He noted that cricket has strengthened his friendship with Albanese, serving as a natural bridge between the two leaders.
"Whenever I have had the chance to meet my friend Prime Minister Albanese, cricket has served as a natural connecting point between us. We visited the stadium together in Ahmedabad, and being here today, I can truly feel the sporting spirit," he said, referencing their visit to the Narendra Modi Stadium during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Record Attendance and Cricket Legends
Albanese welcomed PM Modi to the MCG, highlighting the historic rivalry and record-breaking attendance during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series. "Over five days, 3,70,000 people came through these gates to watch the fourth Test. That is the passion and the respect between our rivalry," he said. He also acknowledged cricket legends Lisa Sthalekar and Steve Waugh, who were present.
India-Australia Sports Cooperation Roadmap
PM Modi and Albanese unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap, which aims to strengthen sporting ties beyond cricket. The initiative focuses on capacity building, sports science and technology research, and industry and investment. It combines Australia's expertise in hosting major events with India's growing ambitions.
PM Modi said, "Through this initiative, we will strengthen cooperation not only in cricket but across other sports as well. We will move forward together in areas such as sports training, sports science, and technology, strengthening our partnership both on and off the field."
The Roadmap is expected to deepen cooperation as Australia prepares for the 2032 Olympics and India gears up for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic bid.
