Activists say there have been about 70 attacks on Indian students in Melbourne this year, which have strained diplomatic ties between Canberra and New Delhi.

About 95,000 Indians are being educated in Australia after a university publicity blitz targeting the huge Asian country's growing middle class.

Hodge, who is studying for a Master of Business (Sport Management) at Melbourne's Deakin University, has a long association with India. He toured the subcontinent with the Australian team and played alongside Indians for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

'Whenever any Australian cricketers go to India, we're welcomed with open arms,' Hodge told reporters after the game of street cricket in Melbourne's business district. 'Today is about standing alongside Indians who've come to Australia and letting them know that we welcome them, and value highly their contribution to our country.'

Federation of Indian Students in Australia President Amit Menghani welcomed the initiative. 'It is wonderful to see such a positive initiative from the cricket community and the Victorian Police,' he said.

'Recent weeks have been extremely tough so it's most heartening to see cricket helping reinforce the need for mutual understanding and respect. There remains work to be done but even little events like these can go a long way.'

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh said he was 'shocked and saddened' by the reports of Indian students being attacked. -- AFP