"Cricket will always be a special connection": New Zealand PM Luxon recalls Delhi gully cricket experience as India, New Zealand deepen sporting partnership
Auckland, July 11
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted cricket's enduring role in strengthening ties between India and New Zealand, while underlining the significance of the newly agreed Sports Joint Action Plan between the two countries.
Speaking at the 'Gala Lunch' event hosted by the Kiwi Prime Minister in honour of his Indian counterpart, PM Modi, in Auckland, PM Luxon reflected on his experience of playing gully cricket with children from the STAIRS Foundation during his official visit to India in March last year.
"Cricket will always be a special connection, and New Zealanders know the passion India brings to the game. I experienced this passion firsthand while playing street cricket in Delhi with the children from STAIRS Foundation. My team included the great Indian Kapil Dev, and we were playing against the New Zealanders, who included Ajaz Patel and Ross Taylor. During that match, I joked with Ross Taylor about the possibility of the great Ross Taylor being bowled out by a 13-year-old. Lo and behold, on the very next ball, he was bowled out by an 11-year-old Indian bowling at 110 kilometres an hour. It once again demonstrated to me the passion that defines our rivalry in cricket," Luxon said.
Emphasising the importance of sporting collaboration beyond the cricket field, the New Zealand Prime Minister added, "The sports joint action plan we have agreed upon this morning is so important because it will strengthen our connections in coaching, youth sport, women's and girls' sports, high performance sports, science, technology, tourism and business. It transforms our shared passion into a much deeper cooperation."
Luxon's remarks came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Auckland on the final leg of his six-day tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. The Kiwi Prime Minister hosted a Gala Lunch in honour of PM Modi, who arrived in Auckland on Friday at Luxon's invitation.
The visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years and follows the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement earlier this year, a development both leaders believe will accelerate trade and bilateral cooperation.
Earlier during delegation-level talks, PM Modi described the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations and thanked the New Zealand government for its warm hospitality.
"It gives me great pleasure that an Indian Prime Minister has visited New Zealand after 40 years. By organising an event in your economic capital, you have created an opportunity to infuse new strength into the relationship between India and New Zealand. I am deeply grateful," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also received a traditional Maori powhiri ceremonial welcome at Government House in Auckland, later describing the ceremony as a moving reflection of New Zealand's rich cultural heritage.
The renewed focus on sports cooperation is expected to complement the broader partnership between the two countries, with both sides seeking to expand collaboration across grassroots development, elite performance, sports science, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows cricket casually, I love how this story shows sports diplomacy in action. PM Luxon playing gully cricket with kids is genuinely heartwarming. But I wonder - will this joint plan actually change anything for women's sports in India? New Zealand has such a strong women's cricket team, so that's one area where real exchange could happen. 🇮🇳🤝🇳🇿
The gully cricket anecdote is brilliant - it captures exactly why cricket is more than a sport in India. But let's be real: while sports diplomacy is nice, the real win here is the Free Trade Agreement. That will actually create jobs and opportunities for both countries. Sports is just the cherry on top. Still, seeing an Indian PM in NZ after 40 years gives me hope for stronger ties across the board. 🏏
Bahut accha hai! Cricket connects people like nothing else. I remember playing similar street cricket as a kid in Mumbai. But one concern - will this joint plan focus only on elite sports? Grassroots development in India still needs so much work. Our rural kids have immense talent but no proper coaching or facilities. I hope the exchange goes beyond just PR exercises and actually helps build infrastructure in smaller towns. #CricketForAll
Funny how a simple game of street cricket can foster international relations better than any diplomatic meeting. The 11-year-old bowling out Ross Taylor is the kind of story that goes viral - love it! But I do wonder how much of this sports plan will be implemented. India has signed so many MoUs over the years that gather dust. Let's wait and watch. Still, kudos to both leaders for making this visit happen.
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