Members of the Indian men's cricket team took an unusual break from their training schedule. They embarked on a jungle safari near Nagpur before their upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
Players Enjoy Nature Escape
India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav led a group of teammates on this refreshing excursion. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi joined him at the Pench Tiger Reserve.
The players arrived early in Nagpur for the opening match of the five-T20I series. The first game is scheduled for January 21 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
With some team members reaching Nagpur ahead of the full squad, they decided to step away briefly from their usual routines. They chose a safari to relax, recharge, and bond together before the intensity of international cricket resumed.
Open Jeep Adventures and Camping Moments
Travelling in open jeeps through the forest reserve, the cricketers soaked in their natural surroundings. They shared light moments away from the stadium spotlight and practice nets.
Footage and pictures from the trip appeared on social media platforms. Sanju Samson notably shared content showing the players enjoying their trail safari.
The images captured them breaking for refreshments and sitting around a bonfire at their accommodation. One picture showed the players walking among forest trails at night.
They spent time camping under the open sky before returning to the city for their cricket commitments.
Wildlife Encounters and Visitor Interactions
Forest department officials confirmed the players went on a safari and spotted leopards during their excursion. However, they did not come across any tigers during their visit.
The cricket stars interacted with other visitors in the reserve. They posed for photographs and waved at people who recognized them in the jungle setting.
The players arrived in Seoni late Saturday night and stayed at a local resort. Pench Tiger Reserve Field Director J Deva Prasad provided this information to PTI.
The Indian team left for Nagpur around noon on Monday after completing their morning jungle safari.
Special Gifts and Previous Visits
Wildlife photographer Rituraj Rahi Jaiswal, who works with the Pench reserve, presented a special gift to Suryakumar Yadav. He gave the captain a calendar featuring his collection of tiger and leopard photographs taken in the forest.
This wasn't Yadav's first experience at Pench Tiger Reserve. An official revealed the India captain had visited the reserve earlier in February 2025 as well.
The forest has attracted many celebrities over the years. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar explored the reserve with his family in March 2023.
About Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve sits on the border between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Its core forest extends into both states, creating a unique geographical position.
The reserve serves as habitat for various wildlife species. Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and endemic birds call this protected area home.
It takes its name from the Pench River that flows through the region. The river separates Pench from its northern neighbor, Kanha National Park.
Visiting Information
The official safari season runs from October through June each year. March to May offers the best opportunities for spotting tigers and leopards as animals gather near waterholes.
October to February features cooler temperatures and green vegetation. This period proves ideal for bird watchers visiting the reserve.
The park remains closed during monsoon months from July to September for safety and conservation reasons.
Travel Directions
By air: Nagpur serves as the nearest airport to the park. The distance measures approximately 90-100 kilometers, with good connectivity to other Indian cities.
By rail: Nagpur represents the closest major railway station. Taxis are available from there to reach Pench, with the journey taking about 2-3 hours.
By road: The reserve maintains good road connections with various cities and towns. Nagpur and Seoni are among the well-connected locations, with maintained highways leading to both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh gates.
