India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the tourists' two-day practice match in Canberra against the Prime Minister's XI. With Albanese backing the Aussies to get the job done, Modi said 1.4 billion Indians are rooting for them, especially as they are off to a dreamy start in the five-Test series.
Albanese met the entire Indian team on Thursday in Canberra, with visiting captain Rohit Sharma delivering a speech at the Australian Parliament. Despite Rohit's absence in the opening Test against Australia in Perth, India outclassed the hosts comfortably, winning by 295 runs.
Albanese writing on X:
"Big challenge ahead for the PM’s XI at Manuka Oval this week against an amazing Indian side. But as I said to PM @narendramodi, I’m backing the Aussies to get the job done."
In response, Modi tweeted:
"Glad to see my good friend Prime Minister @AlboMP with the Indian and PM’s XI teams. Team India is off to a great start in the series and 1.4 billion Indians are strongly rooting for the Men in Blue. I look forward to exciting games ahead."
"I told everyone to keep faith in your ability" - Jasprit Bumrah
Following the big win in Perth, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, who had a memorable match with the ball, hailed his side for responding well after being put on pressure on day one. The 30-year-old also thanked the crowd for their support and getting behind them. He said at the post-match presentation:
"Very happy. We were put under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded was great. I played here in 2018 - I remember the wicket started soft. This one was less spicy, we were really well prepared. I told everyone to keep faith in your ability. Jaiswal's best Test innings so far, he left the ball well, I didn't see Virat out of form - difficult to judge that on difficult pitches. But he was good in the nets. We always enjoy the support from the crowd, when the backing is there we feel good."
The second Test begins on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.