A group of Blackcaps players escaping COVID-19-ravaged India have touched down in Auckland aboard a private jet on Saturday night.
The Bombardier Global Express private jet was the first of two chartered flights flying Kiwi cricketers and staff out of the country, after the Indian Premier League was suspended last week due to the country's rapidly worsening coronavirus situation.
Coming via Tokyo, the group immediately entered managed isolation.
Trent Boult, Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne and Scott Kuggeleijn, with coaches and former players James Pamment and Shane Bond, and Royal Challengers Bangalore director of cricketing operations Mike Hesson were all on board.
The second group will include Lockie Ferguson, Brendon McCullum, commentators Simon Doull and Scott Styris, umpire Chris Gaffaney, and coaches and former players Stephen Fleming and Kyle Mills.
A third group will travel to the UK for their upcoming test series against England and World Test Championship final via the Maldives.
Blackcaps player Tim Seifert has been forced to remain in India, after testing positive for COVID-19.
He'll be transferred to a private hospital in Chennai, and after treatment and isolation will be flown back to New Zealand.
