Watch: Video of a dog attempting to bite Shreyas at airport goes viral ahead of IND vs NZ 2026

An airport clip of a dog attempting to bite Shreyas Iyer has circulated widely just before the India vs. New Zealand ODI opener. The game is scheduled for Sunday, January 11, at Vadodara. The three-match series will precede the T20I series of five matches.

 

Shreyas Iyer received the green light regarding his fitness and was allowed to join the Indian team for the New Zealand ODIs. He was selected for the squad previously, but his playing needed a fitness check. The series is the occasion of his coming back to the international cricket playground after his period out because of a spleen injury that he got during the Australia tour.

 

Shreyas showed up at the airport the day before the Kiwis' first ODI dressed in a white casual full-sleeved tee and a black mask. A fan greeted him as he passed by and asked for an autograph. The fan got his autograph and Shreyas moved on when another fan with a pet approached him. Shreyas tried to caress the dog gently but the pet suddenly attempted to bite him which was a shock to the cricketer.

 

 

Shreyas Iyer, who had been unavailable for the home series against South Africa, returns as vice-captain. He was hospitalized due to internal bleeding. Newcomer to the team after treatment, he is now ready for his first game for India.

 

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Shreyas played for Mumbai again as captain and player in two matches in the 2025-26 Season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) before making his return back after an absence from main squad competition. He had a total of 127 runs with a batting average of 63.50 and hit a half-century (50) in his two games.

 

He played against Himachal Pradesh in his opening game where he scored 82 runs off 53 balls and hit 10 fours and three sixes for a strike rate over 154.71. The second game saw him score 45 runs off 34 balls with four fours and two sixes for a strike rate of 132.35. Shreyas' ability to score quickly and freely provides India with good preparation as they prepare for their ODI series against New Zealand.