PM Modi meets with the Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup champions during a visit to Island Nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with members of the 1996 Sri Lankan cricket team in Colombo on Saturday. |Picture source: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with members of the 1996 World Cup champion Sri Lanka cricket team on Saturday (5 April 2025) and said the victory attracted the imagination of countless sports enthusiasts.

PM Modi is officially visiting Sri Lanka for two days.

The Prime Minister arrived here on Friday night for bilateral discussions and signed several key conventions between the two countries.

He met members of the Sri Lanka World Cup champion team late Saturday, and seven wickets beat the Australian side led by Mark Taylor in the final in Lahore.

“Cricket Connection! It’s great to interact with members of the 1996 Sri Lanka cricket team that won the World Cup of that year. This team attracted the imagination of countless sports enthusiasts!” Written PM on “x”.

Members of the victory side, including Kumar Dharmasena, Aravinda de Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana and Marvan Atapattu, showed Modi to Modi on the occasion.

“In Colombo, PM @narendramodi interacted with members of the 1996 Sri Lankan cricket team, which won the World Cup that year. Here are some glimpses from their interactions,” PM’s official account wrote when posting the interactive image.

In the final of the match at Gaddafi Stadium on March 17, Sri Lanka, led by Arjuna Ranatunga, caught up with Australia’s 241/7, losing three wickets while de Silva scored unbeaten 107.

Romesh Kaluwitharana, who hit the explosive blow of his era, said India had been standing with Sri Lanka after the meeting, especially during the crisis.

Historic Sri Lankan batsman De Silva praised Modi, saying the Indian Prime Minister is respected worldwide.

Jayasuriya said the interaction with Modi was a great experience, noting that the Indian Prime Minister had talked about his work since he came to power in 2014.

Former pacemaker Gas said Modi had good cricket knowledge and had a discussion with players from their 1996 World Cup sports.