22 Jan, 2026

Indian Cricketers Enjoy Wildlife Jungle Safari at Pench Tiger Reserve Ahead of New Zealand T20 Series

Several players from the India cricket team took time off from their busy schedule to visit the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh just prior to beginning their very competitive series versus New Zealand. The trip to the Pench Tiger Reserve took place just days prior to the first T20 match in Nagpur, which provided the players a chance to unwind before they begin an extremely busy international schedule. Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi were among the players who were in attendance at the reserve. The players traveled to Pench on Sunday night and stayed near the Turia Gate, one of the main entry points of the reserve.

The players, accompanied by famous wildlife photographer Varun Thakkar, began their jungle safari through the woodland landscape of the park on of Monday morning. Although the group did not see a tiger on their safari, they had the good fortune of seeing a leopard resting on a rock along with other forms of wildlife indigenous to the area. The conclusion of this iconic trip was followed by the team's departure for Nagpur, where they will compete against New Zealand in the first T20I of a five-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

Fun Moments & Fanfare Online

Fans had the opportunity to see a different side of the players thanks to social media posts made by the players. Sanju Samson's recent Instagram post featured a video from the squad's recent jeep safari outing, which included a playful moment between Ravi Bishnoi and Rinku Singh. This moment received a lot of attention from the fans on social media. This outing allowed players to display their fun spirit and bond as they built chemistry and friendships amongst themselves prior to competing internationally.

Attention Turns Towards the T20I Match Series between India and New Zealand

• The Indian team has departed from their Pench appointments and is now in Nagpur for the first of five T20I matches against New Zealand.
• This series is significant, as it will be the last time India plays T20 Internationals before the T20 World Cup 2026.

• The Series: India vs New Zealand T20I Series
• The first game will be played at: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
• India's Captain: Suryakumar Yadav.
• Upcoming focus: Preparing for the T20 World Cup 2026.

India's task is to prepare their combinations and create momentum going forward into the World Cup where they will compete against teams from the USA, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands.

Where Cricket and Nature Collided

The Indian cricket team recently completed a trip to Pench Tiger Reserve, which served as a welcome distraction from the hectic schedule leading up to the big India vs New Zealand T20 series. As well as getting a much-needed opportunity to unwind, the safari also enabled players to develop team spirit while at the same time it provided players with a chance to mentally refresh themselves prior to returning to international cricket. This environment of tranquility mixed with the spirit of cricket was ideal for players who are about to enter a critical moment in India's T20 history.

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