The two leaders also announced the roadmap on sports cooperation, and the roadmap will “leverage Australia’s experience and India’s ambitions to host major sporting events, creating opportunities to increase our trade, tourism and investment ties”, a statement by the Australian Prime Minister’s office said.

It sets out priorities across capacity building, sports science and technology research, industry and investment, it said.

The roadmap will provide opportunities to deepen cooperation on major sporting events, as Australia prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games and Paralympic and India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

PM Albanese said, “Australia and India are united by our love and passion for sport. This sports roadmap will focus on practical priority areas such as capability building, technology and research to strengthen this cornerstone of our bilateral relationship. I am excited to expand cooperation with India on sport, which not only brings joy to Australians but boosts trade, tourism and investment.”

PM Modi said, “Sport is a key pillar of the India-Australia partnership, bringing our people closer through shared passion and mutual respect. Delighted to visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with PM Albanese. More sporting exchanges, youth engagement and collaboration can further strengthen the India-Australia friendship.”

During the visit, the leaders interacted with young athletes participating in Kabbadi, Australian Football and Cricket exhibition games.

Modi visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground accompanied by Albanese and the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, for an event celebrating India-Australia sporting ties. Several Australian sporting legends, including Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar, were present at the event.

Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said, “The Australia-India relationship is vital for our shared economic prosperity, supporting farmers, jobs and businesses across Australia. Major sporting events are huge opportunities for Australian tourism, bringing tens of thousands of new tourists to our shores and this roadmap will help us make the most of the green and gold decade”

Australian Minister for Sport Anika Wells said, “India and Australia share a significant and meaningful connection through sport, particularly cricket, and this roadmap will take that relationship to the next stage. The Australian sports ecosystem is actively sharing knowledge and expertise with our Indian counterparts, including through the Australian Sports Commission and our national sporting bodies. We are excited to further deepen that engagement as we count down to the Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Modi, who is on a three-nation trip wrapped up his visit to Australia on Friday, and reached New Zealand. He has visited Indonesia in the first leg of the trip.

“Our sport has such an authentic connection in India,” CA’s general manager of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, told cricket.com.au. “This game is also part of a much bigger initiative across both our governments and shows that cricket is a connector for both our countries, and that both the Australian and Indian governments see that and want to be part of it.

#BBL16 on the global stage

The most-watched game in Australian domestic sports league history is expected when the @RenegadesBBL take on the @ScorchersBBL in India. pic.twitter.com/ikjUu7RRWa

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) July 10, 2026

“We’re hugely excited by the opportunity and we expect the match will be the most-watched game in Australian domestic league history for any sport.

According to cricket.com.au, Chennai was endorsed as the ideal venue for the one-off contest by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (India) and Australian Consul-General Silai Zaki due to its passion for cricket and the religious following five-time IPL winners CSK enjoy in the city.

The Renegades will be the designated home team, with the match at the Chepauk Stadium to begin at 2.40pm local time, reflecting an 8.10 pm AEDT start, slating the contest right after the fourth day’s play between Australia and New Zealand during the first Test in Perth.

The BBL will become the first overseas cricket league to host one of its own matches in India. Although the Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes featured in the now-defunct Champions League T20 in India more than a decade ago, those games were separate from the BBL.

Australia last featured in a match at Chepauk during their 2023 World Cup opener against India. The two teams are due to meet in Chennai early next year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.