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The Rise of Rachin: What makes Blackcaps prodigy Ravindra such a unique talent?
SENZ • October 21st, 2024 11:01 am
The continuation of Rachin Ravindra's ascent as one of the sport's most precious young talents was undoubtedly the individual highlight of the Blackcaps' dominant win over India in the opening Test of their three-match series.
Playing in his grandparents' hometown, the 24-year-old returned to the scene of his maiden ODI century and repeated the dose in whites, reaching three figures for the second time in his 10-Test career to take his average to a shade under 47.
Ravindra clinically dispersed the Indian attack to all corners of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, erasing any hope the hosts had of overcoming their abysmal first innings with a display of batting that amplified his reputation as a once-in-a-generation player.
The player of the match finished with 134 off 157 balls (including 17 boundaries), then backed that up with a steadying undefeated hand of 39 to steer the New Zealanders through some potentially tricky waters to an eight-wicket win - just their third ever on Indian soil.
NZ great and SENZ commentator Jeremy Coney was among those marvelling at Ravindra's exploits, identifying a couple of technical aspects in the Wellingtonian's game he believes sets him apart as a genuinely unique prospect - his ability to identify length early and his diversity of strokeplay.
"As the ball's coming towards you, he can see where it's going to pitch on the ground," Coney told SENZ Breakfast.
"So, he can either go forward and get close to the ball, smother it, or he can see that it's shorter, he can get away from the ball and give it time. He uses that time to get away and create space to be able to hit it square, particularly on the offside. That's a wonderful skill to have against the slower bowlers.
"He's also able to attack different areas of the ground from the ball which pitches in the same place. So, he can hit it to square cover. He can hit it to extra cover. He can go down the ground or he can even go wide midwicket on the on side. So, it makes it really hard for an opposition captain and a bowler to see the field.
"I thought he was outstanding in both innings and what a future he's got. I just hope we can keep him in New Zealand."
For a 52-Test veteran who saw minimal success on the subcontinent, Coney admits the win has to rank among New Zealand's finest in whites.
That said, Coney notes the Blackcaps had a stroke of fortune in the way both teams misread the pitch.
The challenge now will be for the tourists to back that up in the next two Tests, where conditions are sure to be much more heavily catered to the Indian's spin attack.
"This is one game as far as the Blackcaps are concerned, and there are two to go and they're not going to be easy," he said.
"You can be sure Pune will turn. That's one thing we can bank on. Put your money on that.
"We've had a really good start. Let's enjoy that and then work bloody hard for the next game."
The second Test of the series begins on Thursday.
Catch ball-by-ball coverage of the Blackcaps' Test tour of India via the SENZ app or discover your local SENZ frequency here.
