The 75 Years of Friendship through Cricket Event was an event hosted by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, who invited his counterpart Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese for a Test match to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties on 9 March 2023,[1] exercising cricket diplomacy.

[4] Foreign diplomatic relations between Australia and India are well-established, with both nations sharing a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" since both were part of the British Empire.

[5] Both are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and share political, economic, security, lingual and sporting ties.

[12][13] India and Australia have also participated in other major global cricket tournaments and are both ICC member nations.

[14][15] "Australia was the first country in the world with whom India had formal diplomatic relations after independence, and cricket has been at the heart of their relationship.

[18] Albanese later announced that his country and the Indian government have finalized the Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism.

I am pleased to tell you that we have finalised Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism.”[22] – Anthony AlbaneseThe event began with the two prime ministers singing the national anthems of their respective countries and shaking hands with the players of both teams.

[23][24] After the gallery visit, the two prime ministers took a lap of honor around the stadium in a specially designed golf cart.

Before the start of the match, traditional display of Garba was showcased in front of the dignitaries and the crowd gathered.

[1] While the event was hailed by the BJP, the ruling party in India, it was opposed by opposition; with INC leader Jairam Ramesh tweeting: “Doing a lap of honour in a stadium you named after yourself in your own lifetime – height of self-obsession.”[27] Australian captain Steve Smith (In the absence of Pat Cummins) won the toss and elected to bat first.

[36] Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opened India's account, adding 74 runs for the first wicket.

Jadeja, KS Bharat and Axar Patel added runs as India finished on 571, setting up a lead of 91.

In order to win the match and level the series, Australia needed to quickly take a lead and declare, giving India an imposing target.