New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra has emerged as a vital all-format player for his country, transforming from a left-arm spinner to a top-order batter. His breakthrough came in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he amassed 578 runs and earned the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award.
In the upcoming subcontinent tour, Ravindra will play a crucial role for the Black Caps. He has been training at the Chennai Super Kings’ High-Performance Centre alongside teammate Ben Sears to acclimatize to the red and black soil pitches they may encounter.
Ravindra acknowledges the technical adjustments he needs to make, particularly in his batting stance. He observes that subcontinent batters maintain their shape longer in lower positions, a technique he aims to incorporate into his game.
Reflecting on his debut Test in Kanpur in 2021, Ravindra recalls his partnership with Ajaz Patel that saved the first Test. He recognizes the challenges of facing India in a three-match Test series, highlighting their formidable home record in the red-ball format.
“It’s going to be tough, and we will look to take the stuff that we learned from the last series here,” said Ravindra. “They are a world-class team for a reason, and hopefully, we can give them a run for their money.”
Ravindra’s transformation and the Black Caps’ preparations for the subcontinent tour underscore the evolving nature of cricket and the importance of adaptability.
