Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has expressed his disapproval of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) allowing New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra to practice at their academy ahead of the Test series against India. Ravindra emerged as the highest run-scorer for New Zealand as the visitors completed a historic 3-0 whitewash in the series.Uthappa criticized CSK's decision, stating that the franchise should prioritize the country's interests over those of its players, especially when it comes to foreign players who will be competing against India. He emphasized that a line should be drawn when the nation's interests are at stake.Ravindra, who was part of the CSK squad in IPL 2024, was granted permission to practice at the franchise's academy to acclimatize to Indian conditions. However, Uthappa believes that this decision was inappropriate, as it potentially gave Ravindra an unfair advantage in the Test series.Despite his criticism of CSK, Uthappa acknowledged the franchise's reputation for taking care of its players. However, he stressed that the country's interests should always come first.Ravindra, on the other hand, described New Zealand's 3-0 Test series victory over India as a special and unforgettable experience. He praised the team's performance and expressed his joy at being part of such a historic achievement.New Zealand's victory marked the first time a visiting team had completed a clean sweep in a three-Test series against India. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel played a crucial role in the victory, taking 6-57 in India's second innings.

On the opening day of the third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, Sarfaraz Khan's fiery send-off to Rachin Ravindra marked a significant moment. Ravindra, a key performer for New Zealand, had been instrumental in their victories in the previous two Tests.During the first session, Washington Sundar's delivery crashed into Ravindra's stumps, leaving him bewildered. Sarfaraz, positioned at silly point, erupted in celebration and taunted Ravindra as he returned to the dressing room. Sundar's delivery was a masterstroke, earning him Ravindra's wicket for the third time in the series.Spinner Washington Sundar continued to shine, claiming two wickets as New Zealand ended the first session at 92/3. Will Young (38*) and Daryl Mitchell (11*) remained unbeaten.New Zealand's innings began poorly, with Akash Deep dismissing Devon Conway for four runs. Skipper Tom Latham and Will Young steadied the ship, but Sundar dismissed Latham for 28. Ravindra's dismissal for five runs further weakened New Zealand's position.Young and Mitchell guided New Zealand through the remainder of the session without further losses.India, trailing 0-2 in the series, will be determined to avoid a whitewash in the final Test. Mohammed Siraj has replaced the unwell Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian lineup, while Matt Henry has come in for Tim Southee for New Zealand.

The second Test match between India and New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune witnessed an intriguing first day, marked by a spirited comeback from the Indian bowlers and a resilient batting performance from the Kiwis.After New Zealand opted to bat first, openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway provided a cautious start. However, the introduction of spin proved pivotal as Ravichandran Ashwin struck in his first over, dismissing Latham for 15. Will Young joined Conway, but their partnership was cut short when Young edged one to Rishabh Pant, giving Ashwin his second scalp.Conway, however, remained unfazed and continued to attack the Indian bowling. He reached his second half-century of the series in 109 balls, with six fours. Rachin Ravindra, who joined Conway at the crease, also played with confidence and brought up his fourth fifty in 93 balls.The 62-run partnership between Conway and Ravindra was broken by Ashwin, who got Conway for 76 in 141 balls. Daryl Mitchell joined Ravindra, and the duo continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers. Ravindra reached his half-century in 93 balls, with three fours and a six.Washington Sundar provided another breakthrough for India, dismissing Ravindra for 65 in 105 balls. Tom Blundell was then removed by Sundar for three, leaving New Zealand at 201/5 heading into tea break.The Indian bowlers, led by Ashwin and Sundar, showed great resilience to mount a comeback after a difficult period against Conway and Ravindra. The crowd at the MCA Stadium played their part, urging Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to give Virat Kohli a bowl.

New Zealand's triumph over India in the first Test was a testament to the team's resilience and the brilliance of all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Ravindra, who was born to Bengaluru parents in New Zealand, played a pivotal role in the Kiwis' historic victory, scoring a magnificent 134 in the first innings and guiding his team to a comfortable win in the second.Ravindra's Indian heritage played a crucial role in his success against India's formidable spin attack. "I have Indian heritage and have played a lot of cricket in India, which has helped me develop those game plans," he said. "I am not a massive sweeper or reverse sweeper, so I stick to my strengths. I was able to play against the spin, and with fewer fielders on that side, it helped me accumulate runs."Ravindra's ability to manipulate the length of the ball and get into good positions to score was evident throughout the match. "I was able to get some good practice in Chennai before this series, and that definitely helped," he said.In the first innings, Ravindra's century helped New Zealand recover from a precarious position of 233/7 to post a respectable total of 402. His 137-run partnership with Tim Southee for the eighth wicket proved to be the turning point of the match.In the second innings, Ravindra played a composed knock of 39* alongside Will Young (48*) to guide New Zealand to a comprehensive victory. India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, posed some challenges, but the Kiwis remained unfazed and chased down the target with ease.Ravindra's performance was a reflection of his hard work and dedication. "I have always been a student of the game, and I am always looking for ways to improve," he said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to play for New Zealand, and I am determined to make the most of it."

New Zealand's historic triumph in India after 36 years was a testament to their resilience and the emergence of young talent. Despite the absence of their injured batting stalwart Kane Williamson, the Black Caps rose to the occasion, led by the impressive performance of Rachin Ravindra.Ravindra, whose parents hail from Bengaluru, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory. His composed innings of 134 in the first innings set the tone for the match. After dismissing India for a mere 46 runs, the Black Caps posted a formidable total of 402.India fought back with a strong batting performance, scoring 462 in their second innings. However, Ravindra's composure guided New Zealand to a remarkable eight-wicket win on Sunday."Our first two innings were outstanding," said New Zealand captain Tom Latham. "Rachin was a huge part in that. The way he played... a 137-run stand with a number nine batsman (Tim Southee) is awesome."Ravindra's performance was particularly impressive considering his relative inexperience at Test level. With Williamson's return uncertain due to a groin injury, Ravindra's emergence provides New Zealand with a much-needed boost."Anyone of Kane's calibre, if he's right and able to come back into the side, would be great," said Latham. "Selection headaches are always great things to have and fingers crossed he'll be alright and can get over here as soon as possible."As the series moves to Pune and then Mumbai for the final match, New Zealand will be hoping to maintain their momentum. Ravindra's performance has shown that they have the depth and talent to overcome the absence of their star batsman.

Rachin Ravindra, the rising star of New Zealand cricket, has once again showcased his exceptional batting prowess, this time on Indian soil. In the recently concluded first Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Ravindra played a pivotal role in his team's historic eight-wicket victory.Ravindra's impressive performance, which included a match-winning 134 and an unbeaten 39, earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to adapt to the challenging Indian conditions and play with composure and precision was evident throughout the match.Speaking after the match, Ravindra attributed his success to a combination of form and meticulous preparation. He emphasized the importance of understanding the nuances of playing in India, particularly the need to maintain a solid stance and move forward and back to create scoring opportunities."I guess it's a combination of both (form and preparation)," Ravindra said. "As long as I have clarity of what needs to be done and I know what my plan is, it's great."Ravindra's preparation for the tour included a week-long stint at the Chennai Super Kings high-performance academy in Chennai, where he worked closely with coach Sriram Krishnamurthy. This experience proved invaluable, as it allowed him to acclimatize to the different surfaces and bowling styles he would encounter in India."Preparation does help," Ravindra said. "When you've got six Tests in a row, you're always looking to do something extra. Lucky enough it all worked out today."Ravindra's performance in Bengaluru was particularly special for him, as his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, was in attendance. The city holds a special significance for Ravindra, as his family hails from there."It's a nice city, and a nice wicket to bat on," Ravindra said. "So the odds are in my favor. Whenever I play in Bangalore, it's quite nice to have the support. My phone starts blowing up. The fans are great too, I love the support. It's nice having dad and close family here, it always makes it special."Ravindra's success in India is a testament to his talent, hard work, and adaptability. As New Zealand continues its tour, he will undoubtedly be a key player for the team, looking to build on his impressive start and contribute to further victories.

Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand cricketer with deep-rooted connections to Bengaluru, has once again showcased his exceptional talent on Indian soil. During the second Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ravindra scored a magnificent 134 runs off 157 balls, helping his team post a formidable total.Ravindra's innings was characterized by a combination of caution and aggression. Against the tight bowling of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, he played defensively, focusing on rotating the strike. However, he unleashed his attacking instincts against the spinners, smashing Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin for boundaries and sixes.Ravindra's success in India is not a coincidence. He has spent considerable time adapting to the subcontinent's conditions, thanks to the guidance of his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, who was also his first coach. In the lead-up to the World Cup last year, Ravindra traveled to Bengaluru and Anantapur with his club, the Hutt Hawks, to gain experience on Indian pitches.Before the Black Caps' tour of the subcontinent, Ravindra trained at the Chennai Super Kings Academy, where he underwent rigorous batting drills in challenging conditions. His father, who witnessed his son's century, attributed it to the preparation he received at the academy."Rachin trained at the academy for about a week. In 40 degrees Celsius, in that humidity, he practiced on a gravel kind of surface. The ball is jumping and turning, dust is coming off, and you are drenched in sweat. I mean nothing can get worse than that. This century, I think, is because of that preparation," said Ravindra Krishnamurthy.Ravindra himself acknowledged the value of his training in India. "It was an invaluable experience. I thought it'd be the best thing for me to go and have a few days of training there in more realistic conditions than what we'd have doctored in New Zealand," he said.Ravindra's performance in the second Test is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has proven himself to be a versatile batsman who can adapt to different conditions and challenges. As the series progresses, he will be one to watch as New Zealand looks to level the score against India.

India's bowlers fought valiantly for over 90 minutes, but Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee's blistering partnership before lunch propelled New Zealand to a commanding lead in the ongoing Test match.After India's dismal first innings total of 46, they needed a strong start with the ball. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah delivered, keeping the New Zealand batsmen in check with accurate bowling. They claimed the wickets of Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry, who appeared rattled and lacking confidence.However, Southee, known for his aggressive batting, provided stability for Ravindra. Despite the previous two batters falling to straight deliveries, Ravindra remained composed, trusting his partner. Southee's resilience allowed Ravindra to flourish, and he raced to his second Test century, his second international hundred in his hometown.From the 70th over onwards, Ravindra accelerated, scoring 56 runs off 38 balls. He lofted Kuldeep Yadav for a six to reach his fifty and continued to push the boundaries. Southee, initially cautious, also joined the attack, hitting an overpitched delivery from Ashwin for a six.Ravindra's confidence soared as he dictated the terms to the bowlers. Southee, too, found his rhythm, waiting patiently for the right deliveries to attack. By lunch, the duo had added an unbeaten 112 for the eighth wicket, giving New Zealand a lead of 299 runs.India's bowlers, who had toiled tirelessly, were left frustrated by the late onslaught. Ravindra and Southee's partnership, the second-quickest 100-plus stand against India, has put the visitors in a commanding position.

Rachin Ravindra, the India-origin all-rounder, is set to make a special Test debut in Bengaluru against India, the city where his family hails from. Ravindra, who turns 25 in November, made his Test debut in 2021 against India in Kanpur."I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection," said Ravindra. "It's amazing and I am very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something very special."Ravindra has had a promising start to his international career, scoring 672 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 50.98, including one century and three half-centuries. He has also played 25 ODIs and 23 T20Is."There will be a bunch of them (family members) in the crowd, and I know dad will be here watching," added Ravindra. "Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey and this is definitely one of them."Ravindra announced himself in a big way during the ODI World Cup in India last year, scoring 578 runs in 10 matches that included three centuries. He then went on to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, scoring 222 runs."Obviously when I was here last, there was the IPL and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. Two pretty cool experiences to have. (I was) part of two very good teams and had those experiences but I guess it's something different about playing a Test match," said Ravindra. "You are here for five days, it's tradition, Test cricket is the pinnacle. So it's always nice to play Test cricket, not just in New Zealand but also away."Ravindra's useful spin bowling has also yielded 10 Test wickets so far. He is expected to play a key role in New Zealand's quest to win their first Test series in India since 1969.