The Indian cricket team, led by stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya, received a traditional Maori welcome following their arrival in Mount Maunganui, ahead of Sunday's 2nd T20I against New Zealand at Bay Oval.

The visitors received a welcome from the Maori powhiri at an area of the ground, with entire members of the squad enjoying themselves in a warm and fun-filled time.  All three local Iwi, Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Ranginui, were represented by the local Iwi who led the event.

The Twitter handle of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also tweeted about the traditional welcome the side received at Mount Maunganui.

The Twitter handle of the BCCI also tweeted about the traditional welcome the side received at Mount Maunganui. As per newzealand.com, a powhiri is a Maori culture welcoming ceremony, involving whaikorero (formal speech), waiata (singing) and kai (food). It is also often performed for tourist groups as part of special events. 

After the first T20I of the series was called off without a ball being thrown at the Sky Stadium on Friday due to heavy rain, both India and New Zealand will be hopeful that some play occurs in the second T20I on Sunday in front of a sell-out crowd.

Following their elimination from the Men's T20 World Cup in Australia at the semi-final stage, both teams are participating in the three-match T20I series. At the Adelaide Oval, India suffered a ten-wicket loss to eventual champions England, while New Zealand suffered a seven-wicket loss to runners-up Pakistan.

In place of first-choice regulars like captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter Hardik is in charge, while Rishabh Pant is his backup.

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