As New Zealand gears up to face India in an exciting Test series, their young top-order batsman, Rachin Ravindra, is preparing to take on India’s dangerous spin duo, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. With the series fast approaching, Rachin is well aware that handling the spin mastery of these two will be key to New Zealand’s success.
Facing Ashwin-Jadeja: A Major Test for New Zealand
Ashwin and Jadeja, two of the world’s finest spinners, have proven to be a nightmare for many visiting teams in India. Together, they boast over 800 wickets in Test cricket, making them a lethal pair, especially on home pitches. Rachin Ravindra acknowledged the challenge posed by these two, saying, “They can bowl consistently in the same area for long periods. Both of them are very skilled, and not only that, they can bat too, making things harder for the opponent.”
Ravindra knows that facing this pair will require a lot of patience and focus, especially in Indian conditions where spin plays a major role. “It’s going to be a good fight. We know how strong India is, both in batting and bowling, especially in their home conditions. It’s going to be tough, but we’re ready,” he added.
Learning from Past Experience in India
Despite the formidable challenge ahead, Rachin remains confident. Having gained experience playing in India during the IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings and earlier in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he feels more equipped to handle the pressure.
“Playing in different formats builds your confidence. Whether it’s T20 or ODI, performing well here gives you belief that you can adapt to the conditions. Test cricket is a different ball game, but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he shared. The IPL and World Cup gave him a taste of the conditions, and now he’s eager to translate that experience into success in the longer format of the game.
New Zealand’s Approach Against India
For Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand’s focus is clear: stick to their own plans and execute them effectively, rather than worrying too much about how India plays. He emphasized that India has grown tremendously over the years, improving not just at home but also in foreign conditions.
“India plays very positive cricket, and they’ve gotten even better at adapting to different conditions. But as New Zealand players, our job is to focus on our own game and try to execute our plans to the best of our ability. If we do that, we have a good chance to succeed,” Rachin explained.
Learning from Sri Lanka Series
New Zealand’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, which ended in a 0-2 defeat, provided valuable lessons. Although the results didn’t go their way, Ravindra believes the team can take those experiences and apply them against India.
“We had some really good performances in Sri Lanka, especially in the first Test which was quite close. I think we learned a lot about how to handle tough situations. While Sri Lanka and India are different places, there are similarities in how you play against spin. The key is to control the game in those crucial moments and not let it slip away.”
Rachin himself played a crucial knock in that series, scoring 92 runs while chasing 275 in the second Test. Though his effort wasn’t enough to secure a win, it showed his ability to handle spin-friendly conditions, something he will need against India’s bowlers.
Looking Forward to the Test Series in India
With the first match of the Test series fast approaching, Rachin Ravindra remains optimistic. He believes that sticking to their plans and maintaining focus will be essential to New Zealand’s success. “We know India is a strong team, especially at home. But we’ve prepared well, and we’re excited for the challenge. Test cricket is all about resilience, and if we play to our potential, we can compete.”
The series promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their best to the table. For New Zealand, handling Ashwin and Jadeja’s spin could be the key to turning the tide in their favor.
