Bengaluru, Nov 17 (UNI) Former Australia opener Justin Langer on Monday said India’s extraordinary depth of talent and its unmatched passion for achievement position the country to shape not only the future of international cricket but also the global education and business landscape.
Reflecting on India’s historic win at the Gabba in 2021, Langer said the match changed global perceptions about the scale of India’s cricketing talent.
“After Australia lost to India at the Gabba, people back home said we were beaten by India’s second XI,” he said in an interaction with UNI. “But in a nation of 1.5 billion people who love cricket, you could pick three international teams which would all be competitive. That is the depth this country has.”
Langer was in the City as an ambassador to NiviCap, a digital solution for Indian students heading to Australia for studies.
The former Australia opening batsman said this enormous reservoir of ambition and skill extends far beyond sport.
“It’s no different in education or business. With 1.5 billion people and the passion you have for every field, India is bound to have a growing influence across sectors,” he said.
He added that this influence is already visible in global sport, with Indian crowds dominating major cricket events abroad.
“For the first time in 25 years, the Boxing Day Test last year was sold out on all five days, and probably 60 per cent of the crowd was Indian. That passion fuels global cricket,” he said.
Langer stressed that India’s rise is also strengthening ties with Australia across multiple domains.
“In Australia, we talk about our relationships with many countries, but our relationship with India is getting stronger by the day, by the month, by the year,” he said, describing the partnership as one of the most promising in the region.
He said collaborations in education, business and technology are benefiting from the cultural bridge created by cricket.
“The love of cricket gives us an instant conversation piece. From that, trust grows, and from trust, strong partnerships emerge,” he noted.
Langer said India’s expanding global role will continue to reshape areas such as overseas education, student mobility and professional exchanges.
He added that with its demographic power and hunger for excellence, India is positioned to drive the next wave of global standards in both sport and knowledge sectors.
“The world already sees India as a force in cricket. With the same passion applied across education and business, India’s global influence will only keep rising,” he said.
