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Rachin Ravindra Reveals Why The Bengaluru Test Will Be Extra Special For Him

Rachin Ravindra in action [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com] Rachin Ravindra in action [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]

Rachin Ravindra will carry along with him that soothing ‘home ground’ feeling when the New Zealand top-order batter steps on to the field here on Wednesday for the first Test against India.

After all, his familial roots are firmly entrenched in Bengaluru. His parents Ravi Krishnamurthy and Deepa hail from the city, while his grandparents T. Balakrishna Adiga, a noted educationist, and Poornima still stay here, and a cosy family get together ahead of the match is on cards too.

“It's something different about playing a Test match. You're here for five days and it's a tradition, you know, Test cricket's the pinnacle. I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection,” said Ravindra.

Rachin Ravindra and his roots in India

Ravi, his father, has come down from Wellington to watch his son playing Test cricket in a city where he spent his formative years and played club cricket.

“There'll be a bunch of them in the crowd and I know Dad will be here watching. So those moments, you know, you pinch yourself on the journey and for this it's definitely one,” said Ravindra.

The 24-year-old is born and brought up in Wellington, but the ‘Indianness’ inside him still burns bright.

“I'm born and brought up in Wellington, you know, I'm a Kiwi all the way through. So, for me it's amazing and I'm very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something pretty special,” he added.

However, it’s not the first time Ravindra is playing in Bengaluru. The graceful left-hander played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during last year’s ODI World Cup, and notched a 108 against Pakistan. He then returned to the venue during the IPL 2024 wearing the Chennai Super Kings’ deep yellow jersey.

Ravindra holds the key for New Zealand

New Zealand are coming into the India Test series on the back of an embarrassing series defeat Vs Sri Lanka. The Kiwis looked clueless against the Sri Lankan spinners as the Lankan Lions whitewashed the series 2-0 and inflicted a heavy defeat.

In Indian cconditions, New Zealand can once again expect spinning conditions and Rachin Ravindra will hold the key. He is a good player of spin bowling and doesn't shy away from taking on the spinners.

Plus, he is a spin-bowling all-rounder, and his left-arm off-break deliveries will be quite useful on conditions favourable for spinners.

(Inputs from PTI)