You’ve beaten us in both Men’s & Women’s Cricket,’ Australia leader jokes with Jaishankar
In a lighthearted moment during a meeting between Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Australian leader jokingly commented, “You’ve beaten us in both Men’s and Women’s Cricket.” This statement was made in reference to the recent victories of the Indian cricket teams over their Australian counterparts. The Indian women’s cricket team had defeated Australia in the 2025 Women’s World Cup semifinal in October, while the Men’s team won the T20I series against Australia in November.
The meeting between Penny Wong and S Jaishankar was a significant one, with the Australian Foreign Minister revealing that Jaishankar is the minister she has met most in her current role. This highlights the strong diplomatic ties between Australia and India, with the two countries regularly engaging in discussions on various issues, including trade, security, and culture. The fact that Penny Wong has met Jaishankar more than any other minister suggests that India is a key priority for Australia in terms of foreign policy.
The joke made by Penny Wong about the cricket victories is a testament to the friendly and sporting relationship between the two countries. Cricket is a highly popular sport in both Australia and India, and the rivalry between the two teams is intense. However, the fact that Penny Wong could joke about the defeats in a lighthearted manner shows that the relationship between the two countries is strong enough to withstand a little bit of good-natured ribbing.
The victory of the Indian women’s cricket team over Australia in the 2025 Women’s World Cup semifinal was a significant one, as it marked a major milestone for women’s cricket in India. The team’s success has inspired a new generation of young girls to take up the sport, and has helped to promote women’s cricket in India. The win was also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, who had been training for months to prepare for the tournament.
The Men’s team’s victory over Australia in the T20I series was also a significant one, as it marked a major comeback for the team after a series of setbacks. The team’s success was due in large part to the strong leadership of the captain, as well as the talented lineup of players. The win was also a boost to the team’s morale, and has set them up well for future tournaments.
The meeting between Penny Wong and S Jaishankar was not just about cricket, however. The two ministers also discussed a range of other issues, including trade, security, and climate change. The two countries have a strong bilateral relationship, and regularly engage in discussions on various issues of mutual interest. The meeting was an opportunity for the two ministers to strengthen ties between the two countries, and to explore new areas of cooperation.
In terms of trade, Australia and India have a significant relationship, with two-way trade valued at over $20 billion. The two countries are also cooperating on a range of security issues, including counter-terrorism and cyber security. The meeting between Penny Wong and S Jaishankar was an opportunity for the two ministers to discuss ways to further strengthen the trade and security relationship between the two countries.
The meeting also touched on the issue of climate change, which is a major concern for both Australia and India. The two countries are committed to reducing their carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The meeting was an opportunity for the two ministers to discuss ways to cooperate on climate change, and to explore new areas of collaboration.
In conclusion, the meeting between Penny Wong and S Jaishankar was a significant one, highlighting the strong diplomatic ties between Australia and India. The joke made by Penny Wong about the cricket victories was a lighthearted moment, but it also reflects the friendly and sporting relationship between the two countries. The meeting was an opportunity for the two ministers to discuss a range of issues, including trade, security, and climate change, and to explore new areas of cooperation. As the relationship between Australia and India continues to grow and strengthen, we can expect to see more meetings and discussions between the two countries in the future.