New Zealand players were seen moving freely around Vadodara ahead of the ODI series opener against India, led by Shubman Gill. In a viral video, the players were seen enjoying a relaxed morning walk in a busy area, amid security concerns raised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for the T20 World Cup.
India will begin a three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Sunday, January 11, with Vadodara hosting its first-ever men’s international match. The Men in Blue will play without Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, as they have been rested to manage their workload and keep the T20 World Cup in mind.
New Zealand Arrives in India With Weakened Squad
India and New Zealand last played each other in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai, where the Men in Blue, led by Rohit Sharma, won the title. New Zealand are now touring India with a weakened squad.
Several senior players are missing, but the team still has a few cricketers with international experience. Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra have been rested, while Tom Latham is on paternity leave. Kane Williamson is playing in the SA20 after opting out of a central contract.
Fast bowlers Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O'Rourke are not fit, and regular captain Mitchell Santner is also absent. Kristian Clarke and Zak Foulkes are likely to support Kyle Jamieson in the pace attack, while Adi Ashok could handle the spin duties. They may need time to adjust to playing in India.
New Zealand Team Spotted on Casual Morning Walk in Vadodara
The Kiwi cricket team was seen taking a calm morning walk in Vadodara ahead of their international assignment. The players were moving casually through the streets of Alkapuri, dressed in simple outfits and walking together with support staff.
The clip captured everyday city scenes like closed shops, parked bikes, and local vendors, with the players blending in easily. There was no sign of tight security, which caught the attention of fans online.
Many viewers pointed out how relaxed the outing looked without heavy security. The video quickly drew reactions, with people noting how freely the New Zealand players moved around a busy Indian neighborhood.
New Zealand cricket team went out for a morning walk in Vadodara,
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 10, 2026
while the Bangladeshi Kanglu team is crying over security concerns in India. 😂 pic.twitter.com/bMTPUTTOB4
Bangladesh Express Ongoing Safety Concerns Over Playing in India
The video of Black Caps players walking freely in Vadodara has added to the ongoing debate around Bangladesh’s security concerns in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has repeatedly raised worries about player safety while travelling to India for the tournament.
They have asked for a change of venues to Sri Lanka, stating that security for their entire squad is a major concern. These issues surfaced after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2026.
Bangladesh officials have described the BCCI directive as a sign that the environment may not be safe, with Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul stressing that player safety and national dignity cannot be compromised.
Fans have pointed out that while Bangladesh raised security alarms, the Kiwi team appeared comfortable moving around a busy Indian city without any issues.
Also read: BCCI abandons Bangladesh T20 World Cup mess, throws responsibility at Jay Shah
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