Amid the growing buzz around India vs New Zealand Test series, for Rachin Ravindra, the Kiwi batsman, playing in India would be special this time.
Even though it is not the first time that Ravindra would be playing in the subcontinent, as he made his Test debut in 2021 against India in Kanpur, the first Test of the series beginning in Bengaluru on Wednesday will hold a special place for the India-origin all-rounder.
Bengaluru is the city from where Rachin's family belongs and he is certainly excited to have them watch him play in their home city.
"I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection," TOI quoted Ravindra, who will turn 25 in November.
In 9 Tests, Ravindra has amassed 672 runs at an average of 50.98, including one century, when he scored 240, and three half-centuries, marking a promising start to his international career. Moreover, he also bowls useful spin, which has yielded 10 Test wickets so far for New Zealand.
The Kiwi cricketer has also played 25 ODIs and 23 T20Is.
"It's amazing and I am very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something very special," he said at the pre-match press conference.
"There will be a bunch of them (family members) in the crowd, and I know dad will be here watching. Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey and this is definitely one of them," added the left-handed batsman.
During the ODI World Cup in India in 2023, Rachin Ravindra left a huge impact on the minds of the fans and also made an announcement of sorts for himself, having scored 578 runs in 10 matches that included three centuries.
He also featured in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, representing the Chennai Super Kings. Scoring 222 runs, he proved to be crucial in opening for the franchise which also has Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"Obviously when I was here last, there was the IPL and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. Two pretty cool experiences to have. (I was) part of two very good teams and had those experiences but I guess it's something different about playing a Test match. You are here for five days, it's tradition, Test cricket is the pinnacle. So it's always nice to play Test cricket, not just in New Zealand but also away," said the Wellington-born player.
India vs New Zealand Test series
India will be hoping to continue their home dominance as they take on New Zealand for a three-match Test series from October 16, starting with the first Test in Bengaluru.
India has announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, set to begin on October 16 in Bengaluru. For the first time, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been named vice-captain, officially appointed as Rohit Sharma's deputy for the series. This comes after BCCI left the vice-captaincy position vacant for the recent Bangladesh Tests, which were also led by Rohit.
India has been a dominant force in Test cricket at home, having not lost a series on home soil since their 1-2 defeat to England during the 2012-13 season. Since then, the team has secured victory in 18 consecutive home Test series, remaining unbeaten for over 4,000 days. In contrast, New Zealand is coming off a tough 2-0 series loss against Sri Lanka away from home. The Tim Southee-led side narrowly lost the first Test by 63 runs and were convincingly defeated in the second Test by an innings and 154 runs.
India's squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
Travelling reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
(With inputs from TOI and ANI)
Even though it is not the first time that Ravindra would be playing in the subcontinent, as he made his Test debut in 2021 against India in Kanpur, the first Test of the series beginning in Bengaluru on Wednesday will hold a special place for the India-origin all-rounder.
Bengaluru is the city from where Rachin's family belongs and he is certainly excited to have them watch him play in their home city.
"I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection," TOI quoted Ravindra, who will turn 25 in November.
In 9 Tests, Ravindra has amassed 672 runs at an average of 50.98, including one century, when he scored 240, and three half-centuries, marking a promising start to his international career. Moreover, he also bowls useful spin, which has yielded 10 Test wickets so far for New Zealand.
The Kiwi cricketer has also played 25 ODIs and 23 T20Is.
"It's amazing and I am very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something very special," he said at the pre-match press conference.
"There will be a bunch of them (family members) in the crowd, and I know dad will be here watching. Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey and this is definitely one of them," added the left-handed batsman.
During the ODI World Cup in India in 2023, Rachin Ravindra left a huge impact on the minds of the fans and also made an announcement of sorts for himself, having scored 578 runs in 10 matches that included three centuries.
He also featured in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, representing the Chennai Super Kings. Scoring 222 runs, he proved to be crucial in opening for the franchise which also has Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"Obviously when I was here last, there was the IPL and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. Two pretty cool experiences to have. (I was) part of two very good teams and had those experiences but I guess it's something different about playing a Test match. You are here for five days, it's tradition, Test cricket is the pinnacle. So it's always nice to play Test cricket, not just in New Zealand but also away," said the Wellington-born player.
India vs New Zealand Test series
India will be hoping to continue their home dominance as they take on New Zealand for a three-match Test series from October 16, starting with the first Test in Bengaluru.
India has announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, set to begin on October 16 in Bengaluru. For the first time, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been named vice-captain, officially appointed as Rohit Sharma's deputy for the series. This comes after BCCI left the vice-captaincy position vacant for the recent Bangladesh Tests, which were also led by Rohit.
India has been a dominant force in Test cricket at home, having not lost a series on home soil since their 1-2 defeat to England during the 2012-13 season. Since then, the team has secured victory in 18 consecutive home Test series, remaining unbeaten for over 4,000 days. In contrast, New Zealand is coming off a tough 2-0 series loss against Sri Lanka away from home. The Tim Southee-led side narrowly lost the first Test by 63 runs and were convincingly defeated in the second Test by an innings and 154 runs.
India's squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
Travelling reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
(With inputs from TOI and ANI)
