Rohit Sharma, Team India Receive Traditional Welcome From Maori Community. Watch

Rohit Sharma and the other members of the Indian cricket team received a traditional welcome by the Maori Community at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui ahead of the second One-day International (ODI). The welcome dance performed by the Maori community is known as the powhiri. According to newzealand.com, a powhiri begins at a meeting ground where a warrior from the hosts challenges the guests to check if they are friend or foe. The hosts may carry a taiaha (spear-like weapon), and will lay down a token - often a small branch - for the visitors to pick up to show they come in peace.

The BCCI posted the picture of traditional welcome on their official Twitter handle where the visiting side can be seen posing with the Maori community.

The Twitter handle of Bay Oval NZ also posted some pictures in which the Indian team can be seen enjoying the traditional welcome.

FEATURE: #TeamIndia got a traditional welcome at the Bay Oval - something that the Men in Blue enjoyed before the start of the 2nd ODI - by @RajalArora

Full Video https://t.co/GFBo8ZSSei pic.twitter.com/VLzEleNGJP

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2019

#TeamIndia received a traditional welcome at the Oval Bay from the Maori community.

Full video coming up soon on https://t.co/CPALMGgLOj pic.twitter.com/FEbSuwHEZ8

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2019

India (@BCCI) have officially arrived in the @BayofPlentyNZ.
Led by Rohit Sharma, the side received a powerful Maori powhiri from Ngai Tukairangi and Ngati Kuku, the manawhenua for the Bay Oval area ahead of tomorrow's sold out ODI 2. #cricketnation #NZvIND #bayoval pic.twitter.com/vkRr3q9rmb

— Bay Oval NZ (@BayOvalOfficial) January 24, 2019

Team India head coach Ravi Shastri also expressed his happiness after getting the welcome as he took to Twitter to share some pictures. He also said, "Great to be welcomed and blessed by Maori powhiri from Ngai Tukairangi and Ngati Kuku, the manawhenua for the Bay Oval area."

Great to be welcomed and blessed by Maori powhiri from Ngai Tukairangi and Ngati Kuku, the manawhenua for the Bay Oval area @BayOvalOfficial #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/g8ZbsMpkdI

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 25, 2019

India, who have a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, will look to extend their lead over New Zealand in the second match at the Bay Oval on Saturday.