Indian Cricket Team Receives Traditional Maori Welcome at Mount Maunganui Ahead Of 2nd T20I
The Indian cricket team, led by stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya, received a traditional Maori. After their arrival in Mount Maunganui ahead of the IND Vs NZ 2nd T20I at Bay Oval. The Second Match IND vs NZ will be on Sunday.
The Indian cricket team, led by stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya, received a traditional Maori welcome after their arrival in Mount Maunganui ahead of the second T20I against New Zealand at Bay Oval on Sunday.
IND vs NZ 2nd T20I at Bay oval, Mount Maunganui
The Indian Team received a welcome from the Maori powhiri at an area of the ground, with all members of the squad enjoying themselves in a warm and fun-filled time. The locals who conducted the ceremony represent all three local Iwi; Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Ranginui.
The Twitter handle of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also tweeted about the traditional welcome the side received at Mount Maunganui.
A powhiri is a Maori culture welcoming ceremony
A powhiri is a Maori culture welcoming ceremony involving whaikorero (formal speech), waiata (singing) and kai (food). It is also often performed for tourist groups as part of special events apart from being used to welcome guests onto a marae or during other ceremonies, such as during a dedication of a building.
Both India and New Zealand will be hoping that some play happens in the second T20I on Sunday in front of a sell-out crowd after the T20I series opener was called off without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain at the Sky Stadium on Friday. As Rain is a constant hurdle from the past ICC T20I that made the points table more difficult and went into fate.
Both teams will play the three-match T20I series after the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final stage. While India lost to eventual champions England by ten wickets at Adelaide Oval. New Zealand had to face a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of runners-up Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Hardik Pandya to lead the young team for IND vs NZ 2nd T20I
In the absence of first-choice regulars like skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Hardik is leading the side with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy for the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I. The key all rounder is playing the seniority in the team. As of now the Indian Squad for the New Zealand tour is young. Also, the management can test the players in the bilateral series ahead of the big tournaments.
