You’ve beaten us in both Men’s & Women’s Cricket,’ Australia leader jokes with Jaishankar
In a lighthearted moment during a meeting between two of the world’s most prominent foreign ministers, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong jokingly acknowledged India’s dominance in cricket, saying, “You’ve beaten us in both Men’s and Women’s Cricket.” This humorous remark was made during her meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. The Australian Foreign Minister also revealed that Jaishankar is the minister she has met most in her current role, highlighting the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The joke was not without context, as the Indian women’s cricket team had recently defeated Australia in the 2025 Women’s World Cup semifinal in October. This significant victory marked a major milestone for Indian women’s cricket and showcased the team’s growing prowess on the international stage. Furthermore, the Indian Men’s team had also emerged victorious in the T20I series against Australia in November, solidifying India’s position as a cricketing powerhouse.
Penny Wong’s comment reflects the friendly and sporting rivalry between India and Australia, two nations that share a deep passion for cricket. The sport has long been a significant part of the cultural fabric of both countries, with a massive following and a rich history of competition. By acknowledging India’s recent victories, the Australian Foreign Minister demonstrated her awareness of the current sports landscape and her ability to find common ground with her Indian counterpart.
The meeting between Wong and Jaishankar is a testament to the strong diplomatic relationship between India and Australia. As two prominent nations in the Asia-Pacific region, they have been working closely on various issues, including trade, security, and climate change. The frequency of their meetings, with Jaishankar being the minister Wong has met most in her current role, underscores the importance of their bilateral ties.
The Indian women’s cricket team’s victory in the 2025 Women’s World Cup semifinal was a historic moment for the sport in India. The team’s success has inspired a new generation of young girls to take up cricket, and their achievement has been widely celebrated across the country. The Indian Men’s team’s win in the T20I series against Australia has also been seen as a significant milestone, given the strong competition between the two teams.
In recent years, India and Australia have been working to strengthen their economic and strategic ties. The two nations have been engaged in talks to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which aims to reduce tariffs and increase trade between them. They have also been cooperating on regional security issues, including counter-terrorism and maritime security.
The meeting between Penny Wong and S Jaishankar highlights the warm and cordial relationship between the two nations. By joking about India’s cricket victories, the Australian Foreign Minister showed that she is aware of the cultural significance of the sport in both countries. The exchange also demonstrates the ability of leaders to find common ground and build relationships, even in the face of competition.
As India and Australia continue to work together on various issues, their friendship and sporting rivalry are likely to remain an essential part of their bilateral ties. The recent victories of the Indian cricket teams have given the nation a reason to celebrate, and the joke made by Penny Wong reflects the lighthearted and sporting spirit of the relationship between the two nations.
In conclusion, the meeting between Penny Wong and S Jaishankar showcases the strong diplomatic relationship between India and Australia. The Australian Foreign Minister’s joke about India’s cricket victories highlights the friendly and sporting rivalry between the two nations. As they continue to work together on various issues, their friendship and mutual respect are likely to remain an essential part of their bilateral ties.
About the Author
