What Happened When Indian Cricket Stars Met Rugby Legend Keven Mealamu?

A Memorable Encounter in Auckland

Auckland: Before the first ODI against New Zealand, Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill, along with renowned batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, had the opportunity to meet rugby icon Keven Mealamu, who presented them with personalized jerseys.

Mealamu, a celebrated figure in New Zealand rugby with 132 caps, is one of the most distinguished players in All Blacks history and has captained the team.

As a vital member of the squads that triumphed in the Rugby World Cup in both 2011 and 2015, Mealamu's gesture of gifting special jerseys to the Indian players was a highlight before the match.

In a brief video shared by the BCCI on 'X', Mealamu expressed, "It’s an honor to have you here. I know you have countless jerseys, but this is our chance to share the 'Mana'. 'Mana' in our culture signifies respect and sharing energy with you."

A special moment before the start of play

Captain @ShubmanGill, @imVkohli and @ImRo45 meet with the legendary Keven Mealamu, a titan of New Zealand rugby and are presented with personalized rugby jerseys.

#TeamIndia | @AllBlacks https://t.co/Kw8OLfk1N9

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 4, 2026

The pre-match atmosphere was further enriched by a traditional Maori chant performed by cultural representatives as both Indian and New Zealand players entered the stadium.

The BCCI shared images of this memorable moment on X, stating, "A special moment before the start of play. Captain @ShubmanGill, @imVkohli, and @ImRo45 meet with the legendary Keven Mealamu, a titan of New Zealand rugby and are presented with personalized rugby jerseys."

Following a successful five-match T20I series where India emerged victorious 3-2 under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, the team is now focused on the ODI series with Gill at the helm.

This five-match ODI series will be succeeded by a two-Test series commencing on November 19.

Kohli and Rohit, who have stepped back from T20Is and Test cricket, are now exclusively participating in the 50-over format, drawing large crowds eager to see the veteran players.

The match experienced a slight delay in its start due to rain.