Eden Park in Auckland hosted a moment of genuine on-field fun during the first ODI of the five-match series between New Zealand and India on November 4, 2026. With the hosts nine wickets down in the 41st over, number 11 batter Blair Tickner and right-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar engaged in a playful exchange that briefly stole the spotlight from the match itself.

India had won the toss and chosen to bowl first. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs. For India, Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets, while Anshul Kamboj chipped in with two. Brar rounded off his spell with three wickets, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for India on the day.

What sparked the banter between Brar and Tickner?

The exchange began midway through the 41st over when Brar dropped one back of a length and Tickner swung hard at a pull shot, only to miss the ball completely. Rather than walking back to his mark quietly, Tickner pointed towards the middle stump, gesturing that Brar should pitch the ball up and give him something to hit. Brar was not about to let that pass. He gestured right back at Tickner, essentially daring him to play the pull shot properly if he was so confident.

Brar then sent down another short delivery. Tickner did make contact this time, but the ball flew off a thick top edge rather than the middle of the bat. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul moved swiftly to his left and held the catch comfortably, ending the innings. Tickner walked off with a broad smile, and the whole episode captured the good-natured spirit that can exist between players even in a competitive international fixture.

Watch the clip here-

How did Tickner and Jacob Duffy lift New Zealand to 185?

Tickner had arrived at the crease when New Zealand were in deep trouble at 146 for 9, with the innings looking set to fold well short of a competitive total. He joined Jacob Duffy in the middle, and the two batters put on 39 runs for the final wicket to push the hosts to 185 all out.

Batting at number 11, Tickner's contribution was far more aggressive than such a position typically demands. He struck four sixes and one four in a knock of 34 runs off just 23 balls, giving New Zealand a more defendable total than had seemed likely when he walked in.