New Zealand Team Meets Dalai Lama Ahead Of World Cup 2023 Clash With Australia, Video Surfaces

World Cup 2023: Ahead of their clash against Australia, New Zealand team met Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at his residence in McLeod Ganj.

The New Zealand cricket team have been delivering consistently strong performances in each successive match of the ICC Men's World Cup 2023, securing the second position on the tournament's points table. However, their recent setback was a loss to the host nation, India, in Dharamsala on October 22 (Sunday).

Post the loss though, the New Zealand cricket team had a unique opportunity to meet Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at his residence in McLeod Ganj. This gathering took place ahead of Blackcaps' upcoming match against Australia at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium.

The Dalai Lama shared a photo of this special meeting with the New Zealand cricket team and their families via a post on X (formerly Twitter). The team paid a visit to the spiritual leader's residence, presumably seeking his blessings and, perhaps, a touch of inspiration before their forthcoming match.

"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," reads the tweet posted by the official  X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Dalai Lama.

India Break New Zealand Jinx In World Cups

In the tournament, New Zealand have participated in five matches, clinching victories in four of them against England, Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Their recent loss came at the hands of the Indian cricket team in the 21st match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala.

India's fast bowler Mohammed Shami delivered a remarkable performance in this fixture, claiming a five-wicket haul (5/54), while Virat Kohli's exceptional batting display, with an unbeaten 95 runs, guided India to a four-wicket victory. This win marked India's first win against New Zealand in ICC events in 20 years.

The Blackcaps are set to stay in Dharamsala as they gear up to face Australia in the 27th match of the ongoing ICC Men's World Cup 2023 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium on Saturday. Australia currently hold the fourth spot on the points table of the ongoing tournament and will be aiming to defeat New Zealand to enhance their prospects of securing a semi-final berth.