Rachin Ravindra made his test debut for New Zealand in the first test match of the two match series against India at Kanpur. Playing ahead of Wagner

It was clear that the team had high hopes of the spin bowling all-rounder as he was playing ahead of Neil Wagner on a low and slow Kanpur surface.

In fact, it was a red letter day in the life of Rachin Ravindra who was originally named after two Indian cricketers. His first name Rachin is a combination of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar of whom their parents were big fans.

High on emotions

Here, Ravindra describes his emotions after receiving his maiden test cap against India.

“I felt a bit nervous bowling wise. We were about four down in the first innings when I was next, so definitely felt a few butterflies (that time), but I think after a few balls, I did what I do. Luckily it ended up okay. Being able to play in India in front of crazy fans. Glad to have done that. My mum and dad have been such big influences on my career. I am sure that they are proud. I think I was actually alright in the end, I knew my process, my training, and I backed myself to do it. You are kind of pretty focussed, taking in the crowd, you know, how loud they were. It was quite nerve-wrecking.”

“It’s the kind of stuff you dream about as a kid. You watch test matches like that and that’s where your heroes and your idols are made. It was amazing and seeing those guys like Kane and Ross Taylor come up to me and talking about it was amazing, guys who I’ve idolised and seen playing cricket for a long time. To be able to share a changing room with them and chat about the game to them was amazing. Kane also mentioned it, not many teams lose the toss and are able to steal a draw.”

Job done

Rachin Ravindra went on to make a crucial contribution for his side as a batted right to stumps on day 5 of the Kanpur test match with another Indian origin cricketer Ajaz Patel to stave off a defeat.

New Zealand must have been overjoyed, clinging on with 9 wickets down and taking away four crucial world test Championship points with them.