The country is due to a hold a referendum to decide whether to change its existing flag - and organisers in Surat have mistakenly used a design rejected as a potential replacement in the arena for the competition.

The incorrect flag used was designed by Kyle Lockwood, and featured New Zealand's famous silver fern and the Southern Cross star constellation with the colours red, white and blue.

New Zealand's present flag features Britain's Union Flag in the top left corner and the Southern Cross.

"Internet confusion" has been blamed for the error.

"The New Zealand squad were mystified to see the wrong flag flying, and on their parade placard, upon their initial arrival at the venue for the opening ceremony, and had no time in which to correct prior to photo taking," said team delegate Gary Williams to stuff.co.nz.

On the table, hosts India's men beat Jersey 3-0 as they progressedto the second stage at the Upadhyay Indoor Stadium.

Soumyajit Ghosh kicked things off for the Indians by beating Hugo Tupper, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7.

Harmeet Desai and Devesh Karia then also claimed straight games wins in front of their home crowd.

Desai beat Jordan Wykes 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 while Karia saw off the challenge of Joshua Band 11-5, 11-4, 11-9.

Scotland also enjoyed a 3-0 win against Cyprus and can look forward to the draw for the next round.

The biennial tournament does not feature Pakistan or Australia.

Singapore, England, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland have also made it through.