Bengaluru: Last year this time, the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup was happening in India and Rachin Ravindra emerged as a breakout star due to his easy-going batting, which also included a hundred against Pakistan in Bengaluru, the city his family hails from. 

Cut to now, and Rachin is again the toast of the cricketing world through 134 – his second Test hundred - and 39 not out earning him the Player of the Match award in New Zealand’s first Test win in India since 1988 through an eight-wicket victory at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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Rachin cited the importance of taking care of their positions to play shots while playing in India as the reason behind his success in Bengaluru. “I guess it's a combination of both (form and preparation). As long as I have clarity of what needs to be done and I know what my plan is, it's great.”

“Also having the choice of being able to move forward and back, wasn't trying to take the attack to them but taking care of my positions which is important in this part of the world. I wouldn't say I am looking to attack but I'm hoping to get into good positions that allow me to score.”

“It's just hopefully the way I move allows me to score in different areas. It's not about getting the boundary every time but also about rotating the strike and we speak about that in the team. It's important for us and hopefully that left-right combination frustrates them a little bit. I guess I'm a natural stroke-maker, even in white-ball cricket so it's nice to bring that into the Test arena,” said Rachin after the match ended.

Before embarking on tours of Sri Lanka and India, Rachin had a week-long preparation at the Chennai Super Kings high-performance academy in Chennai under the eyes of coach Sriram Krishnamurthy, who was also his coach during the youngster’s formative years at Wellington.

“Preparation does help. When you've got six Tests in a row you're always looking to do something extra. Lucky enough it all worked out today. I was trying to get a read of different surfaces, red roil and black soil, and seeing what sort of guard I can stand on for different kinds of bowlers. Nets every single day, net bowlers coming in, all that was invaluable experience. Very grateful for those guys putting it on,” he added.

Rachin signed off by summing his emotions around doing great in Bengaluru, especially with his father Ravindra Krishnamurthy in attendance. “It's a nice city, and a nice wicket to bat on. So the odds are in my favour. Whenever I play in Bangalore it's quite nice to have the support. My phone starts blowing up. The fans are great too, I love the support. It's nice having dad and close family here, it always makes it special.”

46 all out set us back; will give it all in next two matches, says Rohit Sharma

After losing Test series opener to New Zealand by eight wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, India skipper Rohit Sharma admitted being all out for 46 in first innings did set them back in the game and vowed his team are ready to give it their all to win the next two matches.

On day two of the game, after the opening day was washed out due to rain, India were shot out for 46 -- their third-lowest Test score overall and the fewest they ever posted in a Test match at home. Under overcast skies, India were undone by grand exhibition of seam bowling from Matt Henry (5/15) and Will O'Rourke (4/22), which eventually played a big part in them losing the match.

"I said it at the press conference after day 2, we knew it'd be a challenge, with overcast conditions and tricky pitch. We didn't think we'll be 46 all out but due credit to NZ. It set us back and games like this will happen.

"Gotta take the good things forward. We've been here before, conceding home losses; these things happen. Two Tests to go, we know what it takes and will give it all in the next two Tests," said Rohit after the match.

Though India made 426 in the second innings, thanks to a counter-attacking 177-run stand for the fourth wicket between Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99), Rohit remarked he was proud of how the two young batters played.

"It was a good effort in the second innings with the bat. We knew what lies ahead, get as many as possible. A couple of guys stood out, was great to watch. When you're 350 behind, you can't think too much. Just have to try and bat the ball and see where the game goes. Was exciting to watch partnerships get us into the game.

"We could've easily been bowled under 350, it's something we're proud of. Everyone's on the edge of their seats when Pant and Sarfaraz bat. Pant's was a mature innings; he's done it for a while, and he played his shots too. Sarfaraz was very clear and mature in just his third or fourth Test."

India, now 1-0 behind in the three-match series, will now travel to Pune to play the second Test against New Zealand from October 24-28, followed by the third and final game of the series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1-5. (IANS)