"Absolutely huge": Veteran cricketer Ross Taylor hails PM Modi's historic New Zealand visit
Auckland, July 11
Former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to the island nation, describing it as an "absolutely huge" moment for the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of a high-profile sports event in Auckland, where PM Modi was accompanied by his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon, Taylor highlighted the weight of the visit, noting that it marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has set foot in the country in four decades.
"It's absolutely huge to have PM Modi in the country. It's the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited New Zealand in over 40 years. This shows that he values the relationship with New Zealand. Our PM Luxon is glad to have him," Taylor said.
The veteran batter, who is a revered figure in international cricket, emphasised that the bond between the two countries transcends the playing field. "We have a great rivalry and friendship over sport. It's nice for the business community as well to be able to interact with India, with obviously the Free Trade Agreement coming up," he added.
The visit coincides with the "100 Years of Unity Through Sport" celebrations, marking a century of sporting ties that began with hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand's historic tour of New Zealand in 1926. To modernise this legacy, both Prime Ministers recently welcomed the 'India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport,' a roadmap designed to expand cooperation into sports science, high-performance coaching, and sports business.
When asked about the role of sports diplomacy in strengthening ties, Taylor told ANI that athletics serves as a unique bridge between cultures.
"Sport can play its part in bringing the friendship in two nations together. Obviously, the Olympics is a big thing for India in 2036, and hopefully they can get it, but hopefully New Zealand can play its part in giving some of our technology and different innovations that we've seen today to pass on our knowledge that we've obviously gathered over the years," Taylor remarked.
Prime Minister Modi, speaking at a Gala Lunch hosted by PM Luxon earlier in the day, reaffirmed this commitment, noting that the partnership is now moving beyond cricket to include sports like Rugby. He pointed to a recent coaching program conducted by New Zealand Rugby in Bhubaneswar as a successful first step under the new Joint Action Plan.
Ross Taylor remains one of New Zealand's most decorated athletes. Over a prolific 16-year international career, he became the first cricketer in history to play 100 matches in all three formats, amassing 18,105 international runs and 40 centuries.
While he initially retired from international cricket in 2022, Taylor made headlines again in 2025 by reversing his decision at age 41 to represent Samoa -- the country of his mother's birth. He made his T20I debut for Samoa in October 2025 during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup qualifiers in Oman.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a cricket fan from the US, I find it amazing how PM Modi and Ross Taylor are using sports diplomacy. Rugby coaching in Bhubaneswar? That's the kind of cross-cultural exchange that really builds bridges. Hope the Free Trade Agreement happens soon too.
Great diplomatic move, no doubt. But let's be real—these photo ops and statements are nice, but what about the actual trade barriers our farmers and textile exporters face? Free Trade Agreement talks have been dragging for years. Hope this visit translates into real action, not just headlines.
Never thought I'd see the day an Indian PM watches a rugby match in Auckland! Taylor retiring for NZ and then playing for Samoa at 41 is wild too. Shows that sports really do unite people across borders. Also, Major Dhyan Chand's legacy getting recognized after 100 years is beautiful. 🏑✨
As an Indian living in Auckland, this is huge for us! The Indian community here is thriving, and having PM Modi visit after four decades gives us a sense of pride. The sports science collaboration is a game-changer—India can learn so much from NZ's high-performance coaching. Just hope the cricket rivalry continues to be friendly! 😄
Ross Taylor is such a legend—not just for his cricket career but for recognizing the importance of this visit. The Joint Action Plan on Sport sounds promising, but I wish they'd also focus on student exchanges and tech partnerships. Still, a step in the right direction. Well done, PM Modi and PM Luxon.
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