“Even though they are different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world, although the conditions will probably be different,” Ravindra said on Monday. “I guess it’s more about managing the crowd and people’s expectations, because we know how passionate Indians are about cricket.
“It seems like if you can do it a few times, hopefully you can do it in a trial design and, look, I think it’s a completely different challenge and it’s one What I’m actually thinking is that it’s always special to come back to the Republic of India and play those two tournaments. [ODI World Cup and IPL] It was great, the crowd, the fervor, the hype and the excitement around it, so I’m excited to have a full three-match layout. Look here.”
“Indian Republic have always been a signature side, I guess the emblem of cricket they play is very true, especially in their own situations, they know how to play,” Ravindra said. “They have grown on those grounds and their players, the way they have developed in recent years has been excellent.
“I guess a little bit of rain, a little bit of cloudy conditions, looking at the wicket, maybe it doesn’t turn as much as we might expect in Mumbai, but I think the quality of the wicket, the quality of their bowlers, the quality of our players “I think that will decide the composition of the game.”
Rachin Ravindra
“For us it is [about] playing our game and doing what is true to us. I think we did some really good things during the Sri Lanka series as well, obviously we were on the wrong end of the stick and the wrong end of the win-loss column there, but I think as a group there were times when actually, really pushed. That first Test was close and we played the way we wanted to at certain times, but I think we have to understand that we have to do it for long periods of time because that’s what Test-match cricket is all about.
“As New Zealanders, we don’t necessarily dig in and look at the difference from the opposition – we know what attribute they have [India] they are and what they bring to the desktop. “But I think if we can play our game and be consistent and put our best possible infrastructure out there, hopefully that can lead to a win, who knows?”
While the pitches in India are unlikely to do New Zealand any favours, the weather in Bengaluru could help them feel at home. It has been cloudy and wet here for the past few days, and the forecast for the first test suggests heavy cloudiness and rain. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch has also been covered for quite some time.
Does that get New Zealand a little more into the game?
“I guess there will be a bit of drizzle around, a bit of overcast conditions, looking at the wicket, maybe I might not be able to achieve what we might expect in Mumbai, but I feel the nature of the wicket, the attribute of their bowlers, the attribute of our bowlers, I think a decision can be reached on the composition of the sport,” Ravindra said. “Whether it turns or not, I don’t know, I guess the easiest thing will be to find out… it wouldn’t be able to turn first, second age, the only thing we’ll be able to find out is third, fourth, fifth age. It’s It’s fantastic for us as group play what is in front of people and don’t go into this sport with preconceived notions or concepts of what it looks like.
“We know what Test cricket is in India, but we also know the quality of India’s fast bowling set-up, so it’s not like they’re just going to produce a change of rank, you know, they’re from quality”. [fast] The bowlers too.”
This is a homecoming of sorts for Ravindra. His father played an important spell of cricket in Bengaluru before settling ill in New Zealand. Ravindra is still fed up with the society in the city and hopes that they will appear for the test.
“Yes, it’s great,” said Ravindra. “Obviously the last time I was here, I guess it was the IPL and before that it was the ODI World Cup, so two very interesting experiences, part of two very good teams.
“But I suppose it’s another thing to play a trial contest. You’re here for five days and it’s traditional, and I suppose it makes a big difference just because of the social connection. “For me, I used Born and raised in Wellington, I’m a Kiwi, it’s fantastic and I’m very proud of my Indian heritage, so playing games that a part of my society is based on is lovely and special.
“There will be a lot of them in the crowd and I know Dad will be here watching, so in those moments you pinch yourself on the journey and for this one, he is definitely one of them.”
Ashish Pant is Deputy Editor of ESPNcricinfo
