Christchurch: India’s cricket squad has touched down in Christchurch ahead of a demanding six-week, 12-match all-format tour of New Zealand, which begins with the first of five T20Is at Hagley Oval on Thursday, October 22.
In a notable scheduling tweak, the series opener has been shifted from its usual night slot to daytime — welcome news for fans back home, who will be able to catch the action around midday IST rather than staying up late.
The mood in the camp appears upbeat. A BCCI video caught Sanju Samson and KL Rahul sharing a laugh over tea — “Oru chai chetta,” as the light-hearted clip was captioned — a small moment that quickly found its way across social media.
KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal are travelling with the squad but are not part of the T20I leg, with Shreyas Iyer set to captain the T20Is and the final two ODIs of the tour. The series forms a key part of India’s preparations under head coach Gautam Gambhir as the team juggles formats over the next six weeks.
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi also made headlines on arrival, with a video of him being mobbed by fans at the airport going viral within hours — a sign of the youngster’s growing stardom even before a ball has been bowled on this tour.
With conditions expected to test India’s adaptability and a packed itinerary of T20Is, ODIs and Tests ahead, the tour promises to be one of the sternest examinations of the Gambhir era so far.
New Zealand’s home conditions — swing, seam and the occasional green top — have humbled many visiting sides over the years, and India will know that nothing comes easy in this part of the world. The management’s decision to blood young talent alongside experienced campaigners suggests a clear eye on the future as much as the present. With Iyer leading the white-ball leg, the tour also doubles as an audition for the next generation of India’s multi-format core.
It all begins at Hagley Oval on Thursday afternoon, with millions back home tuning in over lunch. For India, six weeks that could shape the season start here — and for the New Zealanders, a chance to measure themselves against one of world cricket’s most formidable touring sides. Six weeks, twelve matches, three formats — the New Zealand tour begins now, and the cricketing world will be watching every single ball with keen interest.
