First assignment: counting sheep

A heavy cloud-cover forces the aircraft to take several lazy circles over Christchurch.

A heavy cloud-cover forces the aircraft to take several lazy circles over Christchurch. The much-anticipated sighting of the Lord of the Rings landscape is delayed by slim streams of rain water on the window pane.

Eventually things clear up and the first New Zealand frame is along expected lines. A green meadow littered with sheep is a confirmation of the stereotype the nation is known for.

Be it about the jaw-dropping statistic of there being 16 sheep for every bonafide New Zealander,requests from home of woolies,or the lamb-eaters culinary advice,the four-legged animal tip-toes into all conversations.

Even at Mumbai airport during the wait at the check-in counter,references to the animal had cropped up. With flights full since several Indian students are heading for Auckland,investigations revealed many of them were flying out for veterinary courses. An 18-year-old from Surat gave reasons for pursuing this field of medicine in a distant land. There are 16 times more sheep than humans there,so vets are in demand, he said.

But he was caught on the wrong foot soon after landing when diligently packed eatables from home ended up in the garbage bin. Quite picky about the contents of the visitors baggage,the airport authorities showed no taste for the Gujarati khakras,chakri and dhoklas.

Meanwhile,inquiries reveal that the Indian cricketers,who had landed earlier on Friday,had an untroubled passage through the scanners at the airport unlike their last visit to New Zealand Harbhajan didnt pick up a doosra fine for muddy shoes.

Domestic encounters

New Zealand Cricket will send Indian team members who are not part of the ODI squad to play domestic games in various provinces for practice. Six Indian players Rahul Dravid,VVS Laxman,Amit Mishra,Murali Vijay,Dhawal Kulkarni and Laxmipathi Balaji are expected to play in New Zealands domestic circuit. However,the New Zealand players association is said to have opposed the move.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More