Cricket

New Zealand's recent Test match in Galle against Sri Lanka ended in a narrow 63-run defeat, marking their fifth consecutive loss at the venue. However, two players emerged as bright spots for the Kiwis: seamer Will O'Rourke and batter Rachin Ravindra.O'Rourke, making his first appearance in the subcontinent, impressed with his pace and accuracy. Despite the dry conditions, he consistently bowled at speeds of 140kph and sent down short deliveries that troubled the Sri Lankan batters. His eight wickets for 104 runs, including six top-order dismissals, earned him praise from captain Tim Southee."Will's had a very short Test career so far, and he's certainly announced himself," Southee said. "He's got the skills to have a very good Test career. For him to come to his first Test in the subcontinent and walk away with a very impressive eight wickets for the match is nothing short of special."Ravindra, on the other hand, showcased his batting prowess with a gritty 92 in the fourth innings. Facing a challenging pitch and a tall target of 275, he played with composure and determination. His ability to punish loose deliveries and keep the scoreboard ticking impressed Southee."Rachin kept us in the hunt with that chase," Southee said. "It was a great knock in those conditions. It's not easy to bat - the ball was spinning, and doing all sorts [of things]. For a young guy without a lot of experience in this part of the world to go out and get 90-odd was great signs for him as well."Despite the loss, Southee identified the team's batting collapse on the third morning as a turning point. After reaching 255 for 4 overnight, New Zealand lost six wickets for 71 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to gain a crucial advantage."The last four or five fell for not many, and there was an opportunity to get a bigger first-innings lead," Southee said. "If we were able to press on and get more of a lead, things could have been different."Overall, the match highlighted the potential of O'Rourke and Ravindra while also exposing areas for improvement in New Zealand's batting. As they prepare for the next Test, the Kiwis will look to build on the positives and address the shortcomings that led to their defeat in Galle.

New Zealand's hopes of a historic victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle were kept alive by Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 on Sunday. The tourists need 68 more runs with two wickets remaining after day four, setting up a thrilling finish on Monday.Ravindra's knock, the highest by a New Zealander at the Galle International Stadium, has given the Black Caps a glimmer of hope after they were set a target of 275. However, the left-hander has lacked support from his teammates, with Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell the only other batsmen to reach 30.Sri Lanka's spinners have dominated the match, with Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya taking three wickets each on a sharply turning pitch. Mendis dismissed Williamson for 30, while Jayasuriya bowled Blundell for 30 to break a 56-run partnership that had threatened to take the game away from the hosts.Earlier, Ajaz Patel's six-wicket haul helped restrict Sri Lanka to 309 in their first innings. Patel's figures of 6-90 were the best by a New Zealand bowler in Sri Lanka since Daniel Vettori's 6-64 in Colombo in 1998.Dimuth Karunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with 83, while Angelo Matthews made 50. The match had a rest day on Saturday due to Sri Lanka's presidential elections, but fans returned after lunch when the curfew was lifted.The second and final match of the series will be held at the same venue from Thursday.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced its central contracts for the 2024-25 season, with four exciting additions and the return of a veteran spinner.Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Will O'Rourke, and Jacob Duffy have been offered their maiden central contracts, recognizing their impressive performances in recent times. Ravindra, a rising star, emerged as a breakout player in the 2023 ODI World Cup and scored his maiden Test century against South Africa. Sears and O'Rourke made strong impressions on their Test debuts, while Duffy has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket.Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel returns to the contract list after a successful Test season. With a heavy Test schedule ahead, including overseas tours to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and India, Patel's experience and skill will be invaluable.Despite dropping out of the Test side last season, top-order batter Henry Nicholls retains his contract. Kyle Jamieson, currently recovering from a back injury, is also on the list, although his availability remains uncertain.Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne have declined central contracts. Williamson will prioritize the SA20 league in January but remains available for New Zealand outside that period."We're producing international-ready Blackcaps and we're pleased with the current depth," said NZC selector Sam Wells. "The strength of the list is perhaps best measured by the quality of some of the players who weren't offered contracts."NZC will now need to appoint a new white-ball captain following Williamson's decision.

Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand cricketer of Indian descent, made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the recently concluded season. Sharing the dressing room with legendary captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra had a memorable experience despite CSK's failure to reach the playoffs.In his maiden IPL season, Ravindra showcased his batting prowess, scoring 222 runs in 10 matches with a highest score of 61 and a strike rate of 160.87. The 22-year-old expressed his admiration for Dhoni, stating, "To be able to share a field with him and benefit from his wisdom off it is extremely valuable."Ravindra's Indian heritage stems from his parents, who migrated to New Zealand from Bangalore in the 1990s. His unique name, Rachin, is a tribute to Indian cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.Despite his Indian roots, Ravindra identifies himself as a Kiwi, having been born and raised in New Zealand. However, he cherishes his connection to India, saying, "I always loved coming to India. The people, food, and everything is amazing."Ravindra's next major assignment will be the T20 World Cup in Australia next month, where he will represent New Zealand. The young cricketer is eager to make a mark on the global stage and continue his journey in the world of cricket.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has heaped praise on newly-appointed skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, hailing him as a "smart, cricket-savvy" leader who has excelled in rotating bowlers and setting fields. Following CSK's comprehensive 63-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT), Hussey lauded Gaikwad's tactical acumen and understanding of the game."Ruturaj has been fantastic," Hussey said. "He's very well prepared and has a clear understanding of the game. He works closely with head coach Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni to develop tactics, and his ability to change bowlers and set fields effectively has been impressive."Hussey also commended all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for his explosive starts, noting that the Kiwi star has quickly adapted to the IPL stage. "Rachin is eager to learn and has a positive attitude," Hussey said. "He feeds off the crowd's energy and has shown great confidence in his abilities."One of the match's surprises was the cameo by 20-year-old Sameer Rizwi, who smashed two sixes in his six-ball innings. Hussey highlighted Rizwi's natural hitting ability, especially against spinners. "He has a lot of power and can hit the ball cleanly," Hussey said. "It was a bold move to send him in against Rashid Khan, but he delivered with two big hits."Hussey also praised the team's think-tank for promoting Rizwi ahead of MS Dhoni, a move that paid off with two sixes at the end of the innings. "It was a masterstroke," Hussey said. "We wanted to utilize Rizwi's power against spin, and he delivered."Hussey emphasized the team's directive to "keep pushing the game forward," especially with the introduction of the Impact Player rule. "We have extra batting and bowling options now," Hussey said. "This allows our batsmen to take risks and play aggressively, knowing they have support from the coaches and captain."

Rachin Ravindra, the young Kiwi batter, has made an immediate impact in the IPL 2024, showcasing his exceptional batting and fielding skills for the Chennai Super Kings. In his first two matches, Ravindra has impressed with back-to-back impressive knocks, including a whirlwind 46 off just 20 balls against the Gujarat Titans.However, in the field, Ravindra had a forgettable moment when he dropped a crucial catch of Sai Sudharsan in the 15th over during Gujarat's run chase. During a promotional event, when asked about the incident, Ravindra revealed that he had looked at MS Dhoni, the former CSK captain, for guidance.Dhoni, known for his calm and composed demeanor, intervened with a hilarious reply, saying, "Well, there's a new captain!" Dhoni explained that he refrains from reacting to such incidents, especially when the player is young and inexperienced. He also drew parallels between the new skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and himself, saying that Gaikwad is quite similar in his approach."It (muscle memory) is there. But, I am not somebody who reacts a lot, especially when somebody is playing his first game or second game. I think Rutu (Ruturaj) is quite the same. But it was fun to watch him (Rachin) move all round the ground," Dhoni added.Ravindra, who has quickly become a fan favorite among CSK supporters, has enthralled audiences with his audacious stroke-play. While he has narrowly missed out on a half-century in both matches, Dhoni, the team's 'spiritual skipper,' would be pleased with Ravindra's performances, knowing that his choice was well-founded.Dhoni's decision to pass on the Chennai captaincy to Gaikwad ahead of the IPL 2024 surprised many fans, but it appears that the transition has been smooth. Gaikwad, like Dhoni, is a calm and composed leader who is not prone to emotional outbursts.Ravindra's impressive start to the IPL 2024 is a testament to his talent and potential. With his ability to contribute both with the bat and in the field, he is a valuable asset to the Chennai Super Kings. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how Ravindra continues to develop and contribute to CSK's success.

Chennai Super Kings' Rachin Ravindra Lauds 'Amazing' Fans After Commanding VictoryChennai Super Kings' all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has expressed his admiration for the team's passionate supporters, describing them as "amazing" following their 63-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2024.In a video shared on CSK's official social media handle, Ravindra praised the fans' unwavering enthusiasm during Tuesday's match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The Kiwi all-rounder expressed his gratitude for the raucous support, acknowledging the special feeling of hearing the home crowd chant his name."I am not sure I am quite a favorite just yet, but, yeah, I mean, the Chennai fans are amazing," Ravindra remarked in the video. "And I guess it's always a great, special feeling when you have got fans sharing your name and I mean, I am very grateful for that to happen and it just shows the love and support the CSK fans have for the players. So very, very thankful and hope it keeps on coming," he added.CSK shared the video with the caption, "Rachin nation! Here's some Yellove back."In the match, CSK, batting first after being put into bat by GT, posted a formidable total of 206/6 in 20 overs, propelled by fiery innings from Ravindra (46 off 20 balls), skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (46 off 36 balls), and Shivam Dube (51 off 23 balls).In pursuit of the target, GT faltered as they lost wickets at regular intervals, ultimately managing to reach only 143/8 in their allotted 20 overs and fell short by 63 runs.Ravindra's praise for the CSK fans highlights the special bond between the team and its supporters. The yellow brigade is known for its passionate and loyal fan base, which has consistently cheered the team on through both victories and setbacks.The victory over GT was a significant one for CSK, as it marked their first win of the 2024 IPL season. The team will be hoping to build on this momentum and continue to delight their fans with more impressive performances in the matches to come.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) transition under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has begun smoothly, with the team securing consecutive victories in IPL 2024. Gaikwad has demonstrated exceptional leadership, collaborating closely with former captain MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming.Michael Hussey, CSK's batting coach, has praised Gaikwad's tactical acumen and field management. "He's very well prepared," Hussey said. "He changes the bowlers around effectively, and his messaging to them is clear."Gaikwad's new opening partner, Rachin Ravindra, has also impressed, seamlessly slotting into the team in Devon Conway's absence. Ravindra's aggressive batting has contributed to CSK's strong starts.Another standout performer for CSK has been Sameer Rizvi, who made a sparkling cameo against Gujarat Titans. Rizvi's raw power and fearless approach have caught the attention of the team management.CSK's batting depth and the Impact Player rule have encouraged the team to adopt a hyper-aggressive approach, aiming for above-par totals. Hussey emphasized that players will not be criticized for taking risks while pursuing this strategy."We want to keep playing fast," Hussey said. "With the Impact Player rule, we have an extra batsman and bowler throughout the game. So the batting order keeps lengthening. We have MSD at No.8, which is crazy."

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) unleashed a batting onslaught to post a formidable total of 206/6 against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.CSK's innings got off to a blistering start, with Rachin Ravindra continuing his impressive form in the powerplay. The young New Zealand opener amassed 46 off just 20 deliveries, including six fours and three maximums. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad provided solid support, helping CSK reach 69/1 before Ravindra's dismissal.Ajinkya Rahane failed to make an impact, but Shivam Dube wasted no time in taking the attack to GT. Dube sent the ball soaring into the stands on two consecutive deliveries, setting the tone for a middle-order onslaught. Gaikwad (46) fell just short of his half-century, but Daryl Mitchell picked up the pace with a quickfire 50 off 22 deliveries.GT skipper Shubman Gill brought Rashid Khan back into the attack, but the Afghanistan spinner could only remove Dube on the second ball of the 19th over. Sameer Rizvi made an immediate impact, smashing two sixes in his first over in the IPL. Rizvi's cameo helped CSK reach a massive total of 206/6.GT now faces a daunting task in chasing down the target at Chepauk, where CSK has a formidable record. The Titans will need to pull off a record chase to secure victory.