New Delhi, May 23: New Zealand’s young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra returned home from the IPL to prepare for the upcoming Test against Ireland. He left the tournament with the approval of his team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Ravindra stated that returning early from the IPL has helped him mentally and physically gear up for the Test match.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ravindra mentioned, “KKR welcomed me back warmly. However, due to team balance, I wasn’t getting much playing time. After discussing with the CEO and coach, I decided to take a few days to refresh myself at home. I knew I wouldn’t return until late August due to a packed schedule ahead.”
He added, “KKR management encouraged me to go home, recharge, and train before joining the team in Ireland. It was easier for me since I wasn’t playing at that time. Spending four or five days at home was a fantastic opportunity.”
The young all-rounder noted, “It’s been a while since I played a match. During the IPL, I had great opportunities to bring drinks onto the field, train, and interact with teammates. I don’t feel too far removed from match practice. Our previous schedule was quite hectic and exhausting.”
Ravindra emphasized the importance of Test cricket, especially with the series against Ireland and England approaching. “I wanted to give myself a chance to prepare. I went to Christchurch for a day and had some training sessions. The facilities for practicing on grass pitches were excellent.”
Reflecting on his IPL experience, Ravindra said, “Playing and training in cricket has its benefits. There are significant advantages to being in the IPL. You get to talk to players like Ajinkya Rahane, who is a great person and has played a lot of cricket abroad, including scoring a century at Lord’s.”
He also mentioned the coaching staff, including KKR’s Abhishek Nayar and Shane Watson, who have extensive experience playing against England. “It’s not just limited to the T20 format; it goes beyond that. Discussing batting with Virat Kohli or KL Rahul—these are players who have consistently performed well and achieved success.”
As a capable spinner, Ravindra expressed his interest in improving his bowling. “I’ve always been interested in my bowling, though sometimes it takes a backseat. I’m definitely trying to work on it more. I had some great opportunities during the T20 World Cup. Bowling on pitches that assisted bowlers was enjoyable. Test cricket is entirely different, requiring more energy and a different type of ball. If given the chance, I would love to bowl.”
New Zealand’s team departed for Ireland on Saturday. The only Test match will be played from May 27 to 30. This match is not part of the World Test Championship. Following the Ireland series, New Zealand will face England in a three-Test series.
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