[WATCH] Rohit Sharma peeks out from dressing room to play with Samaira and Ahaan at Bay Oval

Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval provided the backdrop for a warm off-field moment on November 14, 2026, when Rohit Sharma stepped to the dressing room doorway and peeked out towards his children seated in the stands. Ritika Sajdeh was watching the fourth ODI of India's five-match series against New Zealand with daughter Samaira and son Ahaan, and Rohit spotted them from the pavilion balcony before his side took the field.

A video of the exchange circulated on social media and in the clip, Rohit hid behind the dressing room door and then peeked out to entertain his children, while Samaira responded with a smile and a wave from her seat in the stands. Rohit waved back towards his family before the team headed onto the ground.

The timing of the family visit carries a small personal detail, Ahaan, born November 15, 2024, turns two on the day of the fifth ODI itself, while Samaira, born December 30, 2018, is seven years old. Ritika has accompanied Rohit on several tours, and the children have been spotted at match venues before, including during India's ICC Champions Trophy campaign earlier in 2026.

The Cutest Moment Between Rohit Sharma with His Children's in Mount Maunganui.❤️🥹 pic.twitter.com/2BzQmfeCIA

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) November 13, 2026

Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and opted to bowl, and it was in the window between the toss and India walking out to field that Rohit stepped to the doorway for the brief exchange. The interaction added a personal note to what turned out to be a difficult day for the visitors.

Series standing ahead of the decider

New Zealand posted 333, and India's chase fell apart almost immediately. Matt Henry dismissed Rohit off the very first delivery he faced, then removed Virat Kohli and captain Iyer in the same opening over, sending all three back for ducks. India ultimately lost by 244 runs. Earlier in the day, Rohit had contributed a positive moment in the field, taking a two-handed diving catch at short cover to dismiss Finn Allen during New Zealand's innings.

Heading into the fifth and final ODI, Rohit has accumulated 23 runs across three innings on the New Zealand tour. India hold a 2-1 lead in the series, and the decider is scheduled for November 15, 2026, also at Bay Oval.