"It almost brings us into the game more" - Rachin Ravindra unfazed by 'extreme wicket' in IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra believes they will be in an advantageous position if the wicket produces extreme spin in Pune for the second Test against India. The left-handed batter reckons early wickets on such conditions are necessary to get ahead.
With India trailing 0-1 in the three-Test series, the curators are likely to dish out a slow turner in Pune. India haven't lost more than one Test in a home series since the 2012-13 leg against England, their most recent series defeat.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the all-rounder suggested that adaptability will be key, regardless of the conditions. He said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
"If it's an extreme wicket, it almost brings us into the game more. If you win the toss, all of a sudden you take a couple of wickets and you're right into the game on a wicket that's pretty spicy and turns a lot. As a team, it's about accepting what's in front of us. We can't change that. We can't control what wicket they're going to roll out. But we can control our attitude, how we approach it, and each and every position we get into with the bat or consistency with the ball."
The Indian spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav struggled to contain the tourists in Bengaluru, who posted 402 after bowling the hosts out for 46. Although India staged a sensational fightback, the Kiwis chased down the 107-run target with eight wickets to spare.
Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Match in Bengaluru:
Rachin Ravindra was named the Player of the Match in Bengaluru for his knocks of 134 and 39*. Although he went wicketless, the 24-year-old played two world-class innings under pressure to give his side the advantage.
The hundred in the first innings, alongside his partnership with Tim Southee, lifted the Black Caps from 233/7 to 402. The unbeaten 39 in the fourth innings was equally critical as it pushed India onto the backfoot after Jasprit Bumrah struck twice.