IND vs NZ: Why are New Zealand players wearing black armbands in 2nd T20I?
(Courtesy : BCCI)
The venue of the second IND vs NZ T20I is Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
The five-match series between India and New Zealand began on January 21 with the first T20I, marking the start of a crucial five-match T20I campaign ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The series is followed by a three-match ODI leg, making it a comprehensive limited-overs assignment for both sides in Indian conditions.
New Zealand enter the T20Is on the back of a historic ODI series triumph in India, having clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 earlier in the tour. The opening T20I was played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, where India was inserted to bat first.
After scoring a massive 238, the visitors fell short of the target by 48 runs. Looking to level the series, the Mitchell Santner-led team were asked to bat first. The Kiwi players were seen wearing black armbands, a gesture that immediately caught the attention of viewers and sparked curiosity about its significance.
Revealed: Why are NZ players wearing black armbands during 2nd T20I vs India?
In a poignant display of solidarity amid national tragedy, New Zealand’s cricket team wore black armbands during the second T20 International against India on January 23, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
The gesture honored the victims of devastating landslides and floods that struck New Zealand’s North Island, particularly the Bay of Plenty region including Mount Maunganui and Tauranga. Heavy rainfall, triggering the wettest day on record in Tauranga with 274mm in 24 hours caused catastrophic landslides.
On January 22, a major landslide hit the Beachside Holiday Park campsite at Mount Maunganui around 9:30am local time, burying campervans, vehicles, tents, and a shower block under debris. Families on summer holidays were affected, with rescuers using sniffer dogs and heavy machinery searching through the night.
According to reports, at least six people remained missing, including two teenagers (one as young as 15), with fears for children among the unaccounted. No signs of life were detected in later updates, though operations continued 24/7 in unstable conditions.
Black armbands in cricket traditionally signify mourning or respect for tragedy victims, a common practice globally. Here, the Black Caps wore them to express condolences for lives lost, support grieving families, and acknowledge widespread devastation including power outages, road closures, and communities cut off by climate-driven extreme weather.
IND vs NZ: Playing XI of both teams for second T20I
India’s playing XI for 2nd T20I: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand’s Playing XI for 2nd T20I: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
Why were New Zealand players wearing black armbands in the second T20I vs India?
They wore black armbands to mourn victims of deadly floods and landslides in New Zealand’s North Island.
Where was the second T20I between India and New Zealand played?
The match was held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.