Quick answer: India's cricketers spent Diwali 2026 (Sunday, 8 November) on tour in New Zealand, leading the five-match ODI series 2-0, and shared festive greetings with fans on social media. Captain Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh posted Diwali wishes, while back home Sachin Tendulkar shared a "Diwali drive" video with his dog Bouncer. Days earlier, Virat Kohli marked a stunning catch in Auckland with a bow-and-arrow celebration that many fans linked to Lord Rama and Diwali. Reports confirm the players' greetings; we found no report of a team Diwali party in New Zealand.

The festival of lights found the Indian team thousands of kilometres from home, in the middle of a long tour of New Zealand. Here is how the players connected with fans, based on what they posted and what news agencies reported.

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Shubman Gill's Diwali message from New Zealand

India's ODI captain Shubman Gill posted on X on 8 November: "May this Diwali bring peace, happiness and good health to you and your families. Happy Diwali!" He was leading India in the five-match ODI series, in which India led 2-0 after a four-run win under the DLS method in rain-hit Wellington.

Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh

According to ANI:

  • Rishabh Pant posted a video message on X: "Wishing you a very happy Diwali. Hope you have a great year and enjoy the festival with loved ones and family." (Pant's post on X)
  • Shreyas Iyer, part of the ODI squad, shared a picture of himself in traditional attire: "Wishing everyone a cracker of a Diwali." (Iyer's post on X)
  • Arshdeep Singh posted on X: "A very happy Diwali to you all, from us," and shared a photo with actor-model Samreen Kaur on Instagram. Arshdeep took four wickets in the first ODI.
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Virat Kohli's bow-and-arrow celebration in Auckland

The most festive moment on the field came in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on 4 November. Virat Kohli dived at slip to take a one-handed catch off Anshul Kamboj and dismiss Nathan Smith, then celebrated with an archer's gesture, drawing an imaginary bowstring towards the crowd. Coming in the week of Diwali, many fans read it as a nod to Lord Rama's bow. India bowled New Zealand out for 185 and won the rain-affected match by five wickets, with Kohli also among the runs.

Sachin Tendulkar's "Diwali drive" with Bouncer

In Mumbai, Sachin Tendulkar posted a video on 8 November of himself driving with his dog Bouncer in the back seat. His caption, as reported by ANI: "Diwali drive with Bouncer who doesn't want to leave the car. Wishing you and your families a very happy Diwali."

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Diwali on tour: the cricket around the festival

  • ODI series: India led New Zealand 2-0 after the first two games, in Auckland (4 November) and Wellington (7 November).
  • Next match: the third ODI was scheduled for Tuesday, 10 November at Seddon Park, Hamilton, with the series ending in Tauranga on 15 November.
  • Earlier: India had already won the five-match T20I series 3-2, and a two-match Test series follows the ODIs.

Diwali for Indians in New Zealand

New Zealand's Indian community in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch marks Diwali with diyas and rangoli, Lakshmi-Ganesh puja, sweets and community festivals. For festival events across the region, see our Diwali 2026 events in Australia and New Zealand guide. Having the national cricket team in the country during the festival gave local fans one more reason to celebrate.

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Frequently asked questions

How did Indian cricketers celebrate Diwali 2026 in New Zealand?

They shared Diwali greetings with fans on social media while on tour. Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh all posted festive wishes on 8 November.

What did Shubman Gill say on Diwali 2026?

"May this Diwali bring peace, happiness and good health to you and your families. Happy Diwali!"

What was Virat Kohli's Diwali celebration?

In the first ODI in Auckland on 4 November, Kohli celebrated a diving catch with a bow-and-arrow gesture that many fans linked to Lord Rama and Diwali.

How did Sachin Tendulkar celebrate Diwali 2026?

He shared a video of a "Diwali drive" with his dog Bouncer and wished fans and their families a very happy Diwali.

Where was Team India during Diwali 2026?

In New Zealand, leading the five-match ODI series 2-0, with the third ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on 10 November.

Sources