A Test victory in India is hard to earn. You have to play out of your skin to topple the greatest team in their home conditions. For New Zealand, it’s taken them 36 years to win a Test match in India. Having won just two red-ball games in the subcontinent, the last of which came in 1988, the Kiwis beat the hosts by 8 wickets in Bengaluru. At the center of this historic victory was Rachin Ravindra.
The 24-year-old was inarguable the best player of the match. The southpaw made sure Kane Williamson’s absence wasn’t felt, as he scored an incredible hundred (134) in the first innings and backed that up with an unbeaten 39 while chasing 107. After bagging the ‘Player of the Match’ award, Rachin revealed that one of the reasons behind his success was the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Rachin’s CSK Academy visit
Last month, Rachin travelled to Chennai to prepare for the one-off Afghanistan Test, 2-match Sri Lanka series, and 3-match India tour. He’d gone to the Super Kings Academy and spent a couple of days preparing on black and red soil pitches, facing local bowlers on big turners. That clearly helped the youngster, who outdid every Indian batter in Bengaluru.
“Was trying to get a feel of different pitches. Red and black soil while preparing in Chennai, and figure out what positions I can get in and guards I can take to different bowlers. It was a great set-up there; I got an open wicket, nets, different wickets and bowlers, invaluable experience. Grateful for those guys (CSK) putting it on.” Rachin Ravindra said in his post-match interview.
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