‘A highlight of my life’: Albanese reacts to being cheered on by cricket fans in Ahmedabad

Anthony Albanese and counterpart Narendra Modi have been driven around at the cricket on a specially-built chariot that would not have looked out-of-place in the Wacky Races.

Anthony Albanese has described being cheered on by thousands of Indian cricket fans during the first day of the Fourth Test in Ahmedabad as “a highlight of my life”.

Accompanied by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Mr Albanese smiled and waved as the pair rode in a gold coloured, cricket-themed golf cart to cheers from the half-filled 132,000-seat stadium.

The prime ministers later presented caps to captains Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith.

Treated more like a sporting hero than a politician, Mr Albanese could have been in no doubt that he was the guest of honour on Thursday at the world’s largest cricket ground – it was covered by enormous posters of the PM and Mr Modi for whom it is named.

Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi riding on the cricket-themed golf cart. Picture: Getty

The two prime ministers received cheers from the crowd. Picture: Getty

After hearing from Grammy winning artist Falguni Shah, the pair took in the applause in their specially built chariot that would not have looked out-of-place in the Wacky Races.

A clearly chuffed PM later described his reception in ecstatic terms: “it’s a highlight of my life, being here today”.

The two PMs also toured the hall of fame, including a new exhibition featuring an exhibition of photos and mementos from 75 years of India-Australia cricket.

Mr Albanese was also introduced to three Indian cricket legends – Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh, VVS Laxman.

When Mr Modi arrived at the ground and flashed on the screen, the crowd erupted into the sort of cheer of which Australian politicians can only dream.

After linking arms with the Australian team as they sang the national anthem, Mr Albanese returned to a box with his host to watch the start of the match before heading to the airport for his flight to Mumbai.

Mr Albanese lines up with the Australian team for the national anthem. Picture: Getty

Mr Albanese and Mr Modi posing with Steven Smith Rohit Sharma. Picture: AFP

By the time he arrived at the cricket, Mr Albanese had already met with representatives of 34 “smart energy companies” from Australia who he urged to “seize the opportunity that is there.”

He also flagged a meeting with business leaders in Mumbai later in the day, arguing that there were opportunities opening up across finance, resources, energy, health, information technology and the university sectors.

Mr Albanese hinted that progress had been made on deepening the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed by the Morrison Government in 2021.

“Towards the end of this year I’m looking forward to an upgrade in the economic relationship between Australia and India,” he said.

“And I’ll be having discussions with Prime Minister Modi about that today.”

Later at a speech at the Taj Mahal Hotel – made world famous by the 2008 terrorist attack – the PM hinted an announcement was imminent that would benefit Australia’s film industry.

“Prime Minister Modi and I will have more to say on this tomorrow, but I am pleased that our two governments have been working hard to bring our two film industries closer together,” he said.

“For me, films are food for the soul.”

After attending the function for the trade delegation in Mumbai Mr Albanese was given the honour of being the first foreign leader to go aboard INS Vikrant, the first Indian built aircraft carrier in the country’s naval history.

At a speech to be delivered during the visit, the PM declared that India is “a top tier security partner” with Australia.

“The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity and there has never been a point in both of our country’s histories where we’ve had such a strong strategic alignment,” he was scheduled to say.

Originally published as ‘A highlight of my life’: Albanese reacts to being cheered on by cricket fans in Ahmedabad