India, July 10 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a slew of initiatives to strengthen sporting ties between the two nations, including a 'Roadmap for Sports Collaboration' recognising Australia's hosting of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane and India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.

The two leaders were present at an event at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Albanese announced that the opening match of the Australian men's Big Bash League, featuring the Melbourne Renegades taking on the Perth Scorchers, will take place in Chennai this December. It will be the first foreign cricket league set to be organised in India.

Modi described cricket as a natural conn...