Gujarat: PM Modi, Albanese arrive ahead of India-Australia Test match; take round of sprawling stadium

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese handed over Test caps to their respective team captains Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on March 9 morning reached the Narendra Modi stadium here and took a round of the massive sports arena on a golf car before the start of the fourth Test match between India and Australia.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Albanese handed over Test caps to their respective team captains Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith.

The round of the playing turf on a golf car by the two dignitaries was applauded by the thousands of spectators who had already taken their seats in the world's largest cricket stadium.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Albanese met players from both sides and stood along side them when the national anthems of India and Australia were sung.

The two PMs also visited the ‘Hall of Fame’ museum at the Narendra Modi stadium.

The crowd had started assembling from different parts of the state since early morning, most of them carrying the Tricolour and sporting face paint.

Vendors selling India t-shirts and other items for match day soon ran out of stock.