"A long walk by the Blue Springs and a whole lot of fun with the teammates, that's how Team India spent the day off ahead of the Test series," the BCCI tweeted alongwith the photos from the scenic spot -- known for being one of the purest water sources in Putaruru.

 

Test specialists Wriddhiman Saha, Cheteshwar Pujara, R. Ashwin and Umesh Yadav were spotted along with the rest of their teammates who were part of the limited-overs leg in the ongoing tour. Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and young openers Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw were also spotted.

 

Team India will be playing a three-day practice game against New Zealand XI beginning Friday at the Seddon Park.

 

India thrashed the Black Caps in the five-match T20I series. However, the hosts came back strongly and swept the ODI series. 

 

The Virat Kohli-led side, who are at the top of the World Test Championship table with 360 points, will resume their campaign against New Zealand, who are at the sixth spot with 60 points. The Kiwis had lost their last Test series in Australia where they were whitewashed in the three-match rubber.

 

India, on the other hand, had blanked Bangladesh in the two-Test series which also included their first-ever pink-ball Test.