<p>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Australia. While addressing the&nbsp;Indian diaspora at a special community event in Sydney, on Tuesday (May 23), he&nbsp;spoke at length on the cricketing ties between India and Australia. PM Modi lauded the cricketing relations between both countries and also recalled Australia's legendary spinner Shane Warne, who passed away in 2022. The late leg spinner died due to&nbsp;a suspected heart attack during a vacation in Thailand at the age of 52.</p>

<p>Warne is a legend of the gentlemen's game. He ended his illustrious career with 708 Test scalps - second-most in the format -- and 293 wickets in ODIs. He ended with a whopping 1,001 wickets in the international circuit and was part of Australia's victorious&nbsp;ODI World Cup campaigns in 1996 and 1999. He was the first captain to lift the IPL trophy, representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR), during the inaugural season in 2008. Warne was loved by many across the globe and created a huge fan base worldwide, especially in India. Thus, PM Modi recalled Warne while lauding the cricketing ties between India and Australia, ahead of next month's ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between the two senior men's teams at The Oval, London.</p>

<h2><strong>PM Modi recalls late Shane Warne: His death felt like we Indians lost someone of our own</strong></h2>

<p>During his speech, PM Modi said, "Our cricketing ties have completed 75 years. The contest on-field is as exciting as our deep friendship off the field. This time, several Australian women cricketers participated in the first edition of the Women's Premier League."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/csk-playing-at-home-is-big-advantage-but-harbhajan-opines-on-ms-dhoni-cos-qualifier-1-tie-vs-gt-595418">'CSK playing at home is big advantage but...': Harbhajan opines on MS Dhoni &amp; Co.'s Qualifier 1 tie vs GT</a></strong></p>

<p>He added, "India and Australia are not just friends during happy times. A true friend not just stands by you during your happy times, but also during tough ones too. Last year, when the legendary Shane Warne passed away, along with Australia, crores of Indians too mourned his demise. It felt like we have lost someone of our own."</p>

<p>Backing PM Modi's claims, India and Australia enjoy a healthy rivalry on the cricket field and maintain a strong cricketing relationship overall. Over the years, the two nations have been involved in several close encounters -- both in men's and women's cricket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma-led India and Pat Cummins' Australian Test team will lock horns in the WTC final which will be held at The Oval on June 07.</p>

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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Australia. While addressing the Indian diaspora at a special community event in Sydney, on Tuesday (May 23), he spoke at length on the cricketing ties between India and Australia.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Australia. While addressing the Indian diaspora at a special community event in Sydney, on Tuesday (May 23), he spoke at length on the cricketing ties between India and Australia. PM Modi lauded the cricketing relations between both countries and also recalled Australia's legendary spinner Shane Warne, who passed away in 2022. The late leg spinner died due to a suspected heart attack during a vacation in Thailand at the age of 52. Warne is a legend of the gentlemen's game. He ended his illustrious career with 708 Test scalps - second-most in the format -- and 293 wickets in ODIs. He ended with a whopping 1,001 wickets in the international circuit and was part of Australia's victorious ODI World Cup campaigns in 1996 and 1999. He was the first captain to lift the IPL trophy, representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR), during the inaugural season in 2008. Warne was loved by many across the globe and created a huge fan base worldwide, especially in India. Thus, PM Modi recalled Warne while lauding the cricketing ties between India and Australia, ahead of next month's ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between the two senior men's teams at The Oval, London. PM Modi recalls late Shane Warne: His death felt like we Indians lost someone of our own During his speech, PM Modi said, "Our cricketing ties have completed 75 years. The contest on-field is as exciting as our deep friendship off the field. This time, several Australian women cricketers participated in the first edition of the Women's Premier League." Also Read: 'CSK playing at home is big advantage but...': Harbhajan opines on MS Dhoni & Co.'s Qualifier 1 tie vs GT He added, "India and Australia are not just friends during happy times. A true friend not just stands by you during your happy times, but also during tough ones too. Last year, when the legendary Shane Warne passed away, along with Australia, crores of Indians too mourned his demise. It felt like we have lost someone of our own." Backing PM Modi's claims, India and Australia enjoy a healthy rivalry on the cricket field and maintain a strong cricketing relationship overall. Over the years, the two nations have been involved in several close encounters -- both in men's and women's cricket. Rohit Sharma-led India and Pat Cummins' Australian Test team will lock horns in the WTC final which will be held at The Oval on June 07. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

When Shane Warne passed away, it felt like we Indians lost one of our own: PM Modi recalls Aussie legend

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared open the 36th National Games here on Thursday. Indian sportspersons could not perform well in the past due to nepotism and corruption but our government cleaned up the system, he said on the&nbsp;occasion.</p>

<p>Speaking at a gala ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera area of Ahmedabad, he praised Indian athletes for winning medals in various international events such as the Olympics in recent times.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/boxings-future-at-the-olympic-under-fresh-scrutiny-520954">Boxing's future at the Olympics under fresh scrutiny</a></strong></p>

<p>"The country's sportsmen were capable in the past too. This movement of winning medals could have started earlier too. But, instead of professionalism, there was nepotism and corruption in sports. We have cleaned up the system and pumped in new confidence among the youth," he said in his address to the cheering crowd.</p>

<p>"Your victory in sports will pave the way for the country's success in other fields. The soft power of sports will significantly improve our country's image in the world," he said to the sportspersons.</p>

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared open the 36th National Games here on Thursday. Indian sportspersons could not perform well in the past due to nepotism and corruption but our government cleaned up the system, he said on the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared open the 36th National Games here on Thursday. Indian sportspersons could not perform well in the past due to nepotism and corruption but our government cleaned up the system, he said on the occasion. Speaking at a gala ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera area of Ahmedabad, he praised Indian athletes for winning medals in various international events such as the Olympics in recent times. ALSO READ | Boxing's future at the Olympics under fresh scrutiny "The country's sportsmen were capable in the past too. This movement of winning medals could have started earlier too. But, instead of professionalism, there was nepotism and corruption in sports. We have cleaned up the system and pumped in new confidence among the youth," he said in his address to the cheering crowd. "Your victory in sports will pave the way for the country's success in other fields. The soft power of sports will significantly improve our country's image in the world," he said to the sportspersons. Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Soft power of sports will improve our country's image, says PM Modi after inaugurating 36th National Games

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When Shane Warne passed away, it felt like we Indians lost one of our own: PM Modi recalls Aussie legend

Soft power of sports will improve our country's image, says PM Modi after inaugurating 36th National Games