India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav took a brief break from cricket preparations and headed into the wild, as he, along with four other Indian players, went on a jungle safari at the Pench Tiger Reserve ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The first T20 international of the series is scheduled to be played in Nagpur on January 21, and the outing offered the players a moment of calm before the intensity of international cricket resumes.
Alongside Suryakumar, wicketkeepers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, middle-order batter Rinku Singh, and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi were part of the private visit. The Pench Tiger Reserve, which spans parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, is known for its rich biodiversity and tranquil surroundings.
A senior official from the Madhya Pradesh forest department confirmed that the visit was informal and arranged during the team’s short break following the ODI series. Pench Tiger Reserve Field Director J Deva Prasad revealed that the players arrived in Seoni on Saturday night and stayed at a local resort.
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The group headed out for the safari early on Monday morning and explored the forest in open jeeps. While the players did not spot a tiger during their visit, forest officials said they encountered leopards and other wildlife, making the experience memorable.
Sanju Samson via Instagram 🙌🏻
Vibes of this team is different 🎉@IamSanjuSamson #SuryakumarYadav #ishankishan #rinkusingh #bishnoi #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/JT0lSIeipW
— Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) January 19, 2026
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh on safari at Nagpur Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/7QtWKVhmGw
— Ashu (@AshuKharwa66211) January 19, 2026
The cricketers were seen interacting warmly with fans, posing for photographs, and exchanging greetings with fellow visitors. Wildlife photographer Rituraj Rahi Jaiswal later presented Suryakumar Yadav with a specially curated annual calendar featuring striking images of tigers, leopards, and other animals from the Pench reserve.
After completing the safari, the players departed for Nagpur around noon to begin preparations for the T20I series. Several members of the group later shared photos and short videos from the outing on social media, giving fans a glimpse into their off-field relaxation.
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Interestingly, Suryakumar had also visited Pench earlier in February 2025, while Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar toured the reserve with his family in 2023. With the ODI series against New Zealand ending in a 2-1 defeat for India, focus now firmly shifts to the upcoming T20 challenge, beginning in Nagpur.
