Bengaluru: New Zealand’s batter Rachin Ravindra celebrates his century during the third day of the first Test cricket match between India and New Zealand, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)
New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra shared how his family in Bengaluru is proud of him but still supports India. The 24-year-old also reflected on what it meant to score a Test hundred in Bengaluru with his family present.
“It was pretty crazy. I was actually talking to my mum this morning about it. Although my immediate family lives in New Zealand, she was saying how a lot of our family back in India is caught between, asking themselves, ‘Is it Rachin? Is it India? Who do we support?’” Rachin said on BBC Stumped.
“But I guess that’s cool. It’s nice to have their unconditional support, and it shows the pride of Indian people, right? No matter how they’re related to you, they’re still supporting India, which I think is quite cool.”
“That’s why it’s always great to play Test cricket in India. The fanfare and passion here are next level, and any opportunity to play here is fantastic.”
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra plays a shot during the fifth day of the first test cricket match between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Sunday, Oct 20, 2024. (PTI Photo)
Ravindra scored a match-winning 134 in Bengaluru, and he explained how much that hundred meant to him. During last year’s ODI World Cup in India, he smashed a 94-ball 108 against Pakistan at the same venue. He was later picked up by the Chennai Super Kings for the IPL season, where he scored a brisk half-century against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the same ground in May.
“I guess the icing on the cake was having a lot of family there (in Bengaluru). I don’t get to see them that often these days, but I’m sure they’re very proud and love cheering me on from behind their TV screens. So, when they do get to watch me play the odd game in Bengaluru, it’s pretty special. All of these things together made for a memorable few days,” he said.
