After a successful performance in the World Cup 2023, Rachin Ravindra is excited about changing his skills in the red ball: New Zealand’s rising star Rachin Ravindra is getting ready for the challenges of the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting on November 28.
Ravindra caught the world’s attention with his stellar performance in the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He scored 578 runs at an average of 64.22, which included three centuries and two half-centuries. He also took five wickets with his left-arm spin, with his best performance being 2/21.
He has played only three Tests in his career so far with modest returns, the last of which was a home match against Bangladesh in 2022. However, his stellar performances in the World Cup have ensured that the all-rounder will be a top contender. To made his way into New Zealand’s playing XI for the upcoming Test series against the Tigers.
In a video released by New Zealand Cricket, Ravindra discussed the upcoming Test series from the perspective of his recent white-ball experience. He said that there is a need to adjust to the circumstances.
Rachin Ravindra Said:-
“I enjoy going back to red-ball cricket after that [the recent white-ball experience in World Cup] because that means your intent [is positive], you are almost looking to score. So, I mean, [that] keeps you in a good position to score,”. “But probably here it depends on the conditions. What the pitch is doing, it’s probably going to dial that back a little bit, not as many risks. You can still play your natural game, by understanding the surface and the situation of the game dictates you.”
Ravindra also said that the team needs to adjust to the longevity of the Test. He also discussed the need to adapt to the different conditions of playing Test cricket in the subcontinent.
“I think we sometimes don’t understand how long a Test match really is. You have five days of 90 overs each day, so there’s a lot of time here. So hopefully we can bring that calmness in the group, from the one-dayers to the red-ball stuff.”
“You’ve got a little transition period, and you probably don’t have as much time to get yourself in; but also it’s Test cricket, so you actually do have a lot of time. It’s a different role for sure; it’s not a new ball [role in Bangladesh] – I might come in and straightaway face a spinner.
“So just wrapping your head around that and seeing what sort of way you can adjust your game plan and get used to facing slower bowling instead of seam up top. But the beauty of it [is that] you contribute whatever way you can for the team no matter what role it is, and hopefully you contribute to a win.”
Ravindra is also well aware that he can contribute with his left-arm spin. Based on his previous experience in Bangladesh, which also includes the T20I tour in 2021, he had made some plans in his mind. During New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh, two Tests will be played in Sylhet and Mirpur.
“Bowl with a quicker pace rather than what we are probably accustomed to bowling back home; if you are putting it in the area and dialing up the pace a little bit more, hopefully, have a little bit of success.”
ICC World Test Championship Stats 2023 – 2025.
POS | TEAM | PCT (%) | PTS | MATCHES (W) | MATCHES (L) | MATCHES (D) | SER | PEN |
1 | PAKISTAN | 100 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2 | INDIA | 66.67 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
3 | AUSTRALIA | 30 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -10 |
4 | WEST INDIES | 16.67 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
5 | ENGLAND | 15 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -19 |
6 | BANGLADESH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7 | NEW ZEALAND | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
8 | SOUTH AFRICA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
9 | SRI LANKA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Also Read: World Cup 2023: Know the Flop XI of ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, From Babar to Bavuma
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