Middle-order mainstays Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, along with four other members of India's Test squad, left for New Zealand from here early Monday for the three match lest series starting March 18.

The duo, along with Amit Mishra, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Dhawal Kulkarni and M Vijay, would be reaching Auckland today morning.

The players are reaching well ahead of the commencement of the series to acclimatize with the conditions by turning out for domestic teams of New Zealand in the state championship.

The inclusion of these players into New Zealand's domestic teams has been approved by New Zealand Cricket, the New Zealand Players Association and the six Major Associations.

Dravid will play for Canterbury Wizards against the Central Stags at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora, from March 6 to 9, while leg spinner Mishra will turn out for the Stags in the same game.