Rachin Ravindra banking on past exploits in World Cup, IPL for India Test series

New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is gearing up for a challenging Test series in India, relying on his past performances in the subcontinent to guide him. Despite no practice matches ahead, the Black Caps are hopeful of leveraging their recent experiences.

In Short

• Rachin Ravindra is gearing up for a challenging Test series in India
• The New Zealand all-rounder made his mark in World Cup in India
• Ravindra admits playing in Sri Lanka and India presents different challenges

New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is counting on his recent experiences in India to navigate the formidable subcontinent conditions ahead of the much-important three-match Test series. The 24-year-old made his mark during last year's ODI World Cup in India and earned an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings.

Now, as he prepares for his first red-ball outing at this level, Ravindra is confident that his past exploits will serve him well in the longer format. Despite New Zealand not having a practice game ahead of the opening Test in Bengaluru, Ravindra sees positives from the team’s recent experience in the subcontinent.

The Black Caps' recent Test series in Sri Lanka, although a defeat, gave them valuable exposure to conditions similar to those they will face in India. Speaking at a press conference, Ravindra acknowledged the challenge of playing in India but remained optimistic about the team's preparation.

"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. But I think it's not often a New Zealand team has had the opportunity to have six subcontinent Tests in a row. It's an amazing opportunity to not just record wins, but also gain experience and improve as a player and as a group," Ravindra said.

While Ravindra admits that playing in Sri Lanka and India presents different challenges, he believes the general experience of playing on spin-friendly tracks will be invaluable.

"Obviously Sri Lanka and India are different places, with different surfaces, but similar in terms of the amount of spin you might face. Sri Lanka are a quality side, especially in their own conditions, and they've shown that in the World Test Championship rankings. For us, it was a great test; we took a lot out of it and learned a lot. Now, it's about seeing how we can bring that game to India," he added.

Ravindra also stressed the importance of individual game-plans, explaining that adaptability and trust in their own methods will be crucial for the team’s success.

"I guess it's about being true to yourself as a player. We've got quality players like Kane [Williamson], Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Daryl Mitchell, each with their own approach. It's not about copying someone else, but finding your own method and being comfortable with it. That's going to be important over the next few Tests."

While Ravindra acknowledged the differences between formats, he pointed out that his performances in white-ball cricket — particularly in the World Cup and IPL — have boosted his confidence in Indian conditions.

"Although it’s a different format, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world. Managing the crowd and the expectations will be important because we know how passionate Indian people are about cricket. But it’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to," he said.

The New Zealand squad will need to adjust quickly to the conditions, especially given the buzz and excitement around cricket in India. Ravindra is eager to embrace the challenge and believes that his experiences in the World Cup and IPL will provide a solid foundation.

"Coming back to India to play a full-fledged Test series is special. The crowds, the passion, the hype — it's always amazing, and I’m excited to be a part of it," Ravindra concluded.