India captain Shubman Gill, along with batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, shared a special moment with New Zealand rugby legend Keven Mealamu ahead of the first ODI in Auckland on Wednesday. The former All Blacks captain presented personalised rugby jerseys to the Indian trio as part of the pre-match celebrations.
Mealamu is one of the most-capped players in New Zealand rugby history, having represented the national team in 132 matches. He was also an important member of the All Blacks squads that lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015.
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Speaking during the presentation, Mealamu described the occasion as an opportunity to share ‘Mana’, a Maori concept associated with respect and energy.
“I just wanted to say it’s an honour having you here. And I know you must have a million jerseys, but it’s our opportunity to share the ‘Mana’. ‘Mana’ in our language means sharing the respect, but also to share the energy with you,” Mealamu said in a video shared by the BCCI on X.
When two sporting worlds meet 🏏🏉
🎥 Culture, respect, and a traditional welcome for #TeamIndia as the @AllBlacks great Keven Mealamu presents us with the 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖 🙌
#NZvIND https://t.co/aSnJg0E43i
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 4, 2026
The ceremony also featured a traditional Maori chant performed by cultural exponents as the Indian and New Zealand players made their way into the stadium. The BCCI shared pictures of the meeting on social media, describing it as a special moment before the start of play.
India entered the five-match ODI series after securing a 3-2 victory in the preceding T20I series under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. Gill is leading the team in the 50-over format, with the series set to be followed by two Tests beginning November 19.
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Kohli and Rohit remained among the biggest attractions ahead of the opening match. Having retired from T20Is and Test cricket, the two experienced batters now represent India only in the ODI format. Their presence drew considerable attention, with spectators arriving in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the veteran stars. Meanwhile, rain caused a slight delay to the start of the first ODI, adding an unexpected interruption to the opening day’s proceedings.
