India, July 9 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laughing with a light-hearted cricket joke. Speaking in Melbourne, PM Modi said being in the city (the sporting capital) and not talking about sports was "like skipping a cricket match after the toss."

Delivering a joint press statement alongside Albanese, he said that Cricket is a "diplomatic" language between the two countries.

"India-Australia meetings feel like cricket. Our agenda is focused like a One-Day game. Decisions are as fast as T20s. And our partnership is as long and deep as a Test match," he said.

PM Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday (July 8) as part of his three-nation tour that is aimed at boosting trade and de...