A video of a dog attempting to bite Shreyas Iyer at the airport has gone viral ahead of the first ODI between India and New Zealand. The match will be played on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara. The ODI series consists of three matches, after which the teams will shift focus to a five-match T20I series.

Shreyas Iyer was cleared to join Team India for the New Zealand ODIs on Friday, January 10. Although he was named in the squad earlier, his participation was subject to fitness clearance. The series marks his return to international cricket after a prolonged absence due to a spleen injury sustained during the Australia tour.

Ahead of the opening ODI, Shreyas was spotted at the airport wearing a white full-sleeve T-shirt and a black mask. He stopped to sign an autograph for a fan, after which another fan approached him with a dog. As Shreyas tried to playfully touch the dog, it attempted to bite him, leaving the cricketer visibly surprised. Iyer is set to return as India’s vice-captain after missing the home series against South Africa due to internal bleeding, from which he has now fully recovered.

Watch the video here:

Dog tried to snatch Shreyas Iyer at the airport - he got surprised 😅

Sarpanch saab just returned fit — PLEASE protect him at all costs🙏😎 pic.twitter.com/TxtBRw9OlC

— Jara (@JARA_Memer) January 9, 2026

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Shreyas Iyer finds form ahead of international return

Shreyas Iyer turned out for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025–26 and even led the side in two matches ahead of his international comeback. He scored 127 runs across those two outings at an impressive average of 63.50, including one half-century, underlining his strong return to competitive cricket.

In his first match against Himachal Pradesh, Iyer smashed 82 runs off just 53 balls, striking 10 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 154.71. He followed it up with a fluent 45 off 34 balls against Punjab, hitting four boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of 132.35.

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Key boost for India ahead of New Zealand series

Iyer’s ability to score runs comfortably and at a brisk pace is a positive sign for India ahead of the New Zealand ODI series. The first ODI will be played in Vadodara on January 11, followed by the second in Rajkot on January 14 and the third at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 18. After the ODIs, the two teams will face off in a five-match T20I series, in which Iyer will not be involved.

In his last international appearance, the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide in October, Iyer scored a brilliant half-century (61) despite India ending up on the losing side.