In a heartwarming gesture of hospitality and spirituality, the Dalai Lama, one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders, shared a moment of grace with the New Zealand cricket team during their recent visit to India.
The meeting took place at the residence of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, on October 24, 2023. In this serene setting in the Himalayan foothills, the spiritual leader met with the players and their families from the New Zealand cricket team. The encounter is a testament to the power of sport in bringing people from diverse backgrounds together and transcending cultural and geographical boundaries.
The New Zealand cricket team, affectionately known as the Kiwis, had been in India for a cricketing sojourn that saw them engage in a series of matches against the formidable Indian cricket team. The tour was marked by its fair share of triumphs and challenges, culminating in an unforgettable encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
During the tour, the Kiwis locked horns with India in a memorable clash at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium. The battle was fierce, but the Kiwis were losing as India, led by the iconic Virat Kohli, emerged victorious. Kohli’s batting masterclass and a brilliant performance by paceman Mohammed Shami secured India’s triumph.
The victory was even more significant because it ended India’s 20-year losing streak to the Kiwis in ICC events. The win was a moment of great pride for Indian cricket fans and a testament to the team’s indomitable spirit.
HHDL meeting with players and their families of the New Zealand cricket team at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on October 24, 2023. Photo by Tenzin pic.twitter.com/laKILNpAqo
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) October 24, 2023
Twists and turns characterized India’s victory over New Zealand. The Kiwis faced early setbacks after winning the toss and electing to bat as the Indian bowlers reduced them to 19/2 within the powerplay. However, a resilient 159-run partnership between Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra staged a remarkable comeback for the Kiwis.
The Indian team, led by Mohammed Shami’s exceptional bowling (5/54), made a strong comeback in the latter stages of the New Zealand innings. They succeeded in bowling out the Kiwis for 273 runs in 50 overs. Shami’s performance was the standout among the Indian bowlers, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/73) and the new-ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj also contributing with wickets.
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In pursuit of the 274-run target set by the Kiwis, India commenced their innings with a strong opening partnership. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill raised hopes with a 71-run stand for the first wicket. Despite losing a few wickets, Virat Kohli’s composed innings (95*) and Ravindra Jadeja’s support (39*) steered India to a four-wicket win with two overs to spare.
