India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and several members of the Indian men’s cricket team took some time off from their intense preparations to enjoy a jungle safari at Pench National Park ahead of the upcoming T20 International series against New Zealand. The five-match series will kick off on January 21 in Nagpur, and the visit to the tiger reserve gave the players a refreshing break in nature before the start of competition.
On Monday morning, Yadav was joined by teammates including Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi for a private safari through the scenic Pench Tiger Reserve, which straddles parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The team traveled in open jeeps, taking in the lush forest surroundings and wildlife sightings as they relaxed and bonded away from cricket drills.
The safari was a disappointment in terms of tiger sighting but not in terms of leopards and other animals native to the reserve, which were among the players’ hopes. The fans at the park were over the moon to see the cricketers and their cameras clicked as the group went through and made friendly gestures to the tourists. The trip was a fun diversion from the strenuous training required for international cricket tours.
Pench Tiger Reserve officials noted that the team had arrived in Seoni earlier and stayed at a nearby resort before embarking on the safari. After the morning excursion, the players returned to Nagpur to resume finalmatch.
The players also shared photos and videos from their tiger safari experience on social media, further highlighting Pench’s appeal as a wildlife destination. A local wildlife photographer presented Suryakumar with a calendar featuring striking images of tigers, leopards, and other wildlife as a memento of the visit, adding a memorable touch to the team’s nature escape.
This jungle retreat underscores the growing trend of sports stars enjoying wildlife experiences while balancing competitive schedules, and it has drawn attention to Pench as a must‑visit spot for nature enthusiasts.
