By CEO Lisa Singh and Research and Policy Officer, Tushar Joshi
Often referred to as a religion in India, cricket is much more than just a game. And for the two teams fighting it out in this summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, the emotional drama of the game is being shared by both nations, Australia and India. But cricket’s influence stretches far beyond the boundary lines. Cricket has created a level playing field for closer ties between two countries who once sat on opposite sides of the Cold War blocs.
The diplomatic, social and economic impact of two great teams playing this Test series in Australia is unfathomable. The 2024 India-Australia Test now holds the record for attendance figures at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with 373,691 fans over the five-day Boxing Day match, making it the largest crowd for any Test played in Australia. This is a testament to the incredible capacity of the iconic MCG but is also symbolic, not just of the sport’s popularity but of a growing cultural connection between the two countries.
On the field, that cultural connection is not without its controversy. Tensions flared at the MCG with an on-field clash between India’s great cricketer Virat Kohli and Australia’s young opener Sam Konstas on day one. Such moments of discord might seem like distractions, but they only underscore the intensity of the relationship and how cricket serves as a microcosm of broader sociopolitical dynamics.
Packed stadiums during India-Australia matches are not just about the sport – they signify a deeper, more emotional connection. This connection is representative of the shift from a colonial past to a shared contemporary identity, where both nations are engaging each other as vibrant democracies with mutual respect and shared interests in various fields.
The large and relatively new Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in this evolving narrative and has often been referred to as the “human bridge” between both nations. Indians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, with more than 371,000 people of Indian descent in Victoria alone, the largest diaspora of any state. The Indian diaspora’s political influence is also being felt, with more than 30 candidates of Indian background contesting the 2022 Victorian state election.
The Indian student population in Australia is also booming, with Victoria hosting 42 per cent of the 135,000 Indian students nationwide. As one of the youngest countries in the world, India is producing a steady stream of young people eager to learn, and cricket remains an integral part of the cultural identity that they bring to Australia. These students are not merely spectators at matches like those at the MCG, they are part of the broader story that shapes Australia’s image as a proud sporting nation, and a multicultural nation where their passion for cricket can be welcomed. As young Indians who have grown up with David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head as household names, the bonds of the game of cricket make Australia a popular education destination.
Cricket Australia’s multicultural action plan has also responded strongly to this reality, ensuring the love of cricket shared by the growing Indian community in Australia is fully reflected across the sport. The plan encourages more of the Indian diaspora to be involved at all levels of the game, creating a sense of ownership and belonging.
More broadly, the millions of viewers exposed to these players and the associated cultural events help build an understanding of both nations. Economically, the commercial value of the game through advertising alone is without question. India has recently risen to become Australia’s fourth-largest export market, with two-way trade totalling $49 billion. That business influence extends directly into the experience of the game with major Indian tech company HCLTech partnering with Cricket Australia to enhance fan experiences and shape the digital future of the game.
Off the field, both nations have navigated complex geopolitical challenges in response to an assertive power in the Indo-Pacific region. Their strategic and shared interests mean they are joined at the hip on the importance of maintaining peace and stability and a rules-based international order. That doesn’t mean these two democratic nations agree or vote the same way all the time on the international stage. Differences in approach to the Ukraine-Russia war are a case in point, yet both countries do agree that the war needs to end.
Cricket, interestingly, serves as an avenue for engagement that transcends these geopolitical tensions. Unlike other forms of diplomacy, cricket offers a unique channel for deepening people-to-people connections, and provides a platform for co-operation that avoids the geopolitical complexities often associated with other international interactions.
The IPL, for example, has become a platform for Australian players to thrive, with 17 Australian cricketers joining the 2024 season, including Mitchell Starc, who became the highest-paid player at $4.43 million. Such exchanges demonstrate how cricket diplomacy works as a two-way street, creating a cultural anchor for both nations to build trust and understanding.
As both nations seek to deepen their relationship, cricket will remain a key symbol for closer ties. By continuing to leverage the power of the game, Australia and India can inspire their respective communities to build trust and further co-operation across a range of key growth sectors, driving bilateral social and economic success for years to come.
This piece was originally published in the Australian Financial Review.