As New Zealand braces itself for one of the most challenging assignments in Test cricket, they enter the showdown without the benefit of a practice game before the first Test match in Bengaluru. Despite this disadvantage, the Kiwis find solace in their recent exploits in the subcontinent, having completed a Test series in Sri Lanka. Though they were defeated, Rachin Ravindra, a promising all-rounder, believes the experience can serve as valuable preparation for the impending three-Test series in India.
In a recent press conference, Ravindra expressed his thoughts on the upcoming challenge: “Yeah, definitely, obviously not being able to play in Noida [against Afghanistan] was a bit disappointing; it would have been a good little build-up. However, it’s not often a New Zealand team has had the opportunity to play six subcontinent Tests in a row. It’s certainly an amazing opportunity, not just to record wins, but more for gaining experience and striving to improve individually and collectively as a team.”
Ravindra recognized the stark challenges associated with playing in the subcontinent, noting that New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka had served as an ideal precursor to their Indian adventure. “Because traditionally, it’s always tough to play in this part of the world, but I think it’s great preparation. Obviously, Sri Lanka and India are different places, offering differing surfaces. Still, they’re similar in terms of the amount of spin you might encounter. Sri Lanka is a quality side, especially on home turf, and their ranking in the World Test Championship is a testament to that. We took a lot from that series, learning valuable lessons which we hope to apply here in India.”
Reflecting on the necessity of flexibility and adaptation, Ravindra stressed the importance of individual strategies being trusted and utilized to produce a cohesive team effort. “I guess it’s about being true to yourself as a player. We’ve got some quality players in our lineup. We’ve got Kane [Williamson], Tom Latham, Devon [Conway], and Daryl [Mitchell]. Each player approaches the game differently, and for us, it’s about doing what we do well in our own capacity.”
While recognizing each player’s strengths, Ravindra emphasized the significance of maintaining personal methods. “Dev’s very good at reverse sweeping and sweeping, and Daryl is similar. But it doesn’t imply that everyone else should do the same.
. So it’s crucial for us to find our own method and be comfortable with it, trusting it. I believe that’s going to be vital over the forthcoming Tests.”
Ravindra brings his experience from the past year’s ODI World Cup in India, where he developed methods that significantly benefited him, subsequently helping him secure an Indian Premier League contract with the Chennai Super Kings. Nonetheless, this will be his first time playing red-ball cricket at such a level. “Although it is different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world, although conditions will most likely be different,” he stated. “It’s about managing the crowd and the expectations since Indian people are so passionate about cricket. So if you can perform a couple of times, hopefully, that translates into success in a Test series. And look, I think it’s an entirely different challenge, and it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
New Zealand’s forthcoming Test series presents a daunting challenge—winning in India, a feat seldom achieved by visiting teams, with the Indian Test team being unbeaten at home for over 12 years. Ravindra acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge but is optimistic, citing New Zealand’s recent experiences and the lessons they have learned.
“I think certainly there are specific conditions in play. In white-ball cricket, the wicket behaves differently. Scores of over 200 in T20s and consistently over 300 in one-day matches aren’t surprising here. But Test cricket is an entirely different beast.” He continued, “We know how good India is in their own backyard, the excellence of their bowlers, and their batters’ capability. Growing up in these conditions highlights just how hard it is for any team to win here.”
Ravindra highlighted the threat posed by India’s experienced spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja, noting their prowess in both batting and bowling, making them formidable opponents. “We’re prepared to face a tough challenge as a group. Having spent considerable time here recently, we’ve grown together well and are all eager to put up a strong fight.”