30 Nov 2021

Rachin Ravindra makes his mark on test cricket

12:23 pm on 30 November 2021

He didn't score a lot of runs and didn't take any wickets, but Rachin Ravindra has shown that he might just have what it takes to be a test cricketer.

Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand  play a shot during day five of the 1st Test match between India and New Zealand held at the Green Park International Stadium in Kanpur 2021

Rachin Ravindra Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 22 year old was one of the Black Caps heroes on the final day of the first test against India in Kanpur.

The Wellingtonian batted for an hour and a half and faced 91 balls for his unbeaten 18, which helped the tourists to an unlikely draw.

Chasing 284 for victory on a final day surface, New Zealand were in tatters at 155-9 with at least eight overs to go and the light steadily fading at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium.

The last batting pair of Ravindra and Ajaz Patel faced relentless spin from both ends with a shoal of close-in fielders around the bat but managed to survive the last 52 balls to deny India.

"It was an incredibly moment with the crowd and the noise and all the fieldsmen around the bat, it was the stuff you dream about as a kid," said Ravindra.

"When you watch test cricket like that, that's where your heroes and idols are made, it's a moment I'll never forget."

Ravindra says he felt comfortable during the closing stages of the test.

"Because I was batting I know my processes, this is what I've done in training, I back myself to do this."

He says it was good to be there at the end with Patel, a player he's known for five years and played with and against.

"It was cool to have him there and just talk about things, lean on each other and as he's been a mentor for me, especially as a bowler, he's helped me a lot and being able to share that moment with him was amazing."

In the closing stages India deployed seven fielders around the bat but were still thwarted by the over-my-body defiance from Ravindra and Patel.

Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel walk off after test draw against India 2021.

Ravindra and Patel Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ravindra faced 91 balls for his 18 not out, while Patel survived 23 balls to stay unbeaten on two.

To Ravindra's relief the game finished 12 minutes early with bad light stopping play with New Zealand on 165-9.

"I was trying not to look at the scoreboard and how many overs to go, I was just thinking ball after ball and trying to forget about all the external factors, but definitely a big relief and seeing everyone high-fiving each other and seeing how happy everyone was was pretty cool."

In this test Ravindra had scores of 13 and 18 and bowled 16 overs of spin.

He does have a batting average of 39 in first class cricket.

Captain Kane Williamson says Ravindra certainly filled the allrounders role for them in this test.

"He generally bats at the top of the order so having him in the side certainly helped strengthen the batting and bowl some valuable overs as well.

"An amazing experience to have in his first test match and to be there at the end is certainly something he'll remember for a long time.

Ravindra says the team can be proud of the result after the position they had been in and it sets them up well for the second Test starting in Mumbai on Friday.

"Not many teams lose the toss and are able to steal a draw and so we stay level and go to the next test match and hopefully pull out a win."

-RNZ