New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra expressed his pride after scoring a Test century in front of his father and family in Bengaluru, his parents' hometown.
On day three of the opening Test, Ravindra's impressive 134 helped New Zealand secure a commanding lead of 356 runs.
Reflecting on the moment, Ravindra said, “It’s obviously special. Having my dad in the crowd was massive. A lot of family were watching the game. I know they’re very proud, and it makes me happy that they were able to watch a relative play in their hometown. It’s just very cool.”
At 24, Ravindra showcased his batting prowess, lifting New Zealand from 233-7 to 402 all out alongside Tim Southee, who contributed 65 runs. He adeptly handled the challenges posed by veteran Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, emphasizing the importance of seizing scoring opportunities on a good wicket.
Despite the nerves of batting against India in India, Ravindra's previous successes, including a standout performance in last year's ODI World Cup and his IPL debut, helped him find his rhythm. He acknowledged the valuable experiences that calmed his nerves.
Kuldeep Yadav praised Ravindra’s technique and comfort against spin, expressing hope that he maintains his form throughout the series. The next Test is set to begin on October 24 in Pune, with the third Test following on November 1 in Mumbai.
