Bengaluru, October 20 (IANS). New Zealand has won the Test match in India after 36 years. Rachin Ravindra had a big contribution in this historic victory. Chasing the target of 107 runs in the second innings, New Zealand won by eight wickets. The young all-rounder said that the team wanted to enjoy every moment at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Play started late due to rain on the fifth day and New Zealand had to work hard to win. Jasprit Bumrah remained the biggest challenge for the Kiwi batsmen and it was not easy for the visiting team to face him.
After losing the initial wicket, Will Young’s unbeaten (48 runs) and Rachin Ravindra’s unbeaten (39 runs), who came at number three in place of injured Kane Williamson, gave the team a historic victory.
This is New Zealand’s first Test win in India since 1988. With this, the visiting team has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Ravindra told Geo Cinema, “Both of them (Siraj and Bumrah) are very good bowlers, and it was important to fight in that period and enjoy that moment. The atmosphere in the stadium was amazing and moments like that are what make cricket special.
“The energy of the fans adds to the excitement, and credit goes to Will Young and Devon Conway for coming out of that tough phase. It’s part of Test cricket, everyone has to go through ups and downs. Sometimes you run out. We are able to bowl, and sometimes the bowlers dominate, but to hold the field against those two world-class bowlers was very special.”
Rachin, who once again came into limelight in the cricket world, scored 134 runs in the first innings against India in Bengaluru and made an important contribution to the team’s victory by scoring unbeaten 39 runs in the second innings. This player was also given the ‘Player of the Match’ award after New Zealand’s victory by eight wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Rachin expressed his feelings about performing brilliantly in Bengaluru, saying, “It’s a good city, and it was a good wicket to bat on. So the odds were in my favor. Whenever I play in Bengaluru, the support is there. It’s nice to meet you.”
It is noteworthy that Rachin’s father was also present in the stadium to watch his performance in this match.
–IANS
AMJ/AKJ
