Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a joint press briefing with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Aylesbury, England, drew a spirited comparison between cricket and diplomacy. “For both of us, cricket is not just a game, but a passion. And also, a great metaphor for our partnership,” Modi said. “There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat! We are committed to building a high-scoring solid partnership.” The remarks came shortly after the two leaders formally concluded the long-awaited India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), hailed as a milestone by both sides. Modi said the deal would boost Indian exports such as textiles, footwear, gems, jewellery and seafood, while giving Indian consumers more affordable access to UK products like medical devices and aerospace components. He noted that the agreement will “create new job opportunities” and benefit “India’s youth, farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs.” PM @narendramodi Ji on a lighter vein on the spirit of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy: “There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat.” #IndiaUKFTA #PMModiInUK #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/ccpCWN2EUM — Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)?? (@pradip103) July 24, 2025 Starmer called it “the most significant deal the UK has signed since leaving the EU,” adding that it would “boost wages, raise living standards and put more money in the pockets of working people.” He said the deal sends a clear message that “the UK is open for business.” PMO India (@PMOIndia) posts, "For both of us, Cricket is not just a game, but a passion. And also, a great metaphor for our partnership. There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat! We are committed to building a high scoring solid… pic.twitter.com/rUv6krLgFW — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2025 The cricket metaphor came as the Indian men’s team continues their Test tour of England. The fourth Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy is currently underway at Old Trafford, Manchester. While neither Modi nor Starmer attended the match, the PMO’s cricket reference kept the spirit of the series alive. Sir Keir Starmer, a supporter of the Arsenal football club that plays in the English Premier League and an occasional player in Sunday league football, has long championed sport as a means of diplomacy and community engagement.