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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 their 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 arrive in India with a weakened team
India and New Zealand last faced each other in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai, where the Men in Blue, led by Rohit Sharma, won the title. New Zealand now tour India with a weakened team.
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There are several senior players missing, but the team still has a few cricketers with international experience. Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra are 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 out. Kristian Clarke and Zak Foulkes will likely support Kyle Jamieson in the pacey attack, while Adi Ashok could handle rotational duties. They may need time to adapt to playing in India.
New Zealand team spotted on casual morning walk in Vadodara
The Kiwi cricket team was seen taking a calm morning stroll in Vadodara ahead of their international duty. The players moved casually through the streets of Alkapuri, dressed in simple outfits and walking with the support staff.
The music video captured everyday urban scenes such as closed stores, parked bicycles, and local vendors, which players blended into easily. There were no signs of increased security, which caught the attention of fans online.
Many viewers pointed out how relaxed the outing looked without heavy security. The video quickly sparked reactions, with people noting the freedom with which the New Zealand players moved around a busy Indian neighborhood.
The New Zealand cricket team went for a morning walk in Vadodara,
while Bangladeshi Kanglu team cries over security concerns in India. 😂 pic.twitter.com/bMTPUTTOB4– Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 10, 2026
Bangladesh expresses continued security concerns over gambling in India
The video of Black Caps players walking freely in Vadodara has fueled the ongoing debate over Bangladesh’s security concerns in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has repeatedly expressed concerns over the safety of players while traveling to India for the tournament.
They have requested a change of venue to Sri Lanka, stating that the safety of their entire team is a major concern. These issues emerged after Mustafizur Rahman’s withdrawal from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2026.
Bangladeshi officials have described the BCCI directive as a sign that the environment may not be safe, with sports advisor Asif Nazrul emphasizing that player safety and national dignity cannot be compromised.
Fans pointed out that although Bangladesh set off security alarms, the Kiwi team seemed comfortable moving around a bustling Indian city without issue.
Also read: BCCI dumps Bangladesh T20 World Cup mess, blames Jay Shah
