Rachin Ravindra is set to play his first Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This match holds special meaning for him, as it connects deeply with his Indian heritage.
Although Ravindra was born and raised in Wellington, his family roots trace back to Bengaluru, making the match an emotional experience for the New Zealand player.
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What did Rachin Ravindra say on playing in Bengaluru?
Ravindra's father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, is originally from Bengaluru, and the player looks forward to playing in the city where his family still lives. His grandparents still live in the garden city, and Ravindra expects a family gathering ahead of the match.
The 24-year-old sees this as a special moment, especially with his father watching from the stands. Though Ravindra proudly identifies as a Kiwi, he remains deeply connected to his Indian roots.
He expressed how proud he is of his heritage and how special it feels to play in a city where many of his family members reside. This connection makes playing the Test match even more meaningful.
"This Test is extra significant for me because of the family connection. I was born and brought up in Wellington - I’m a Kiwi all the way through. (But) I’m very proud of my Indian heritage. To play where a lot of my family is based is something pretty special. There will be a bunch of them in the crowd. I know my dad will be here watching the game," said Ravindra as reported by Sportstar.
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How was Rachin Ravindra's previous experiences in Bengaluru?
This isn’t Ravindra's first time playing in Bengaluru. He previously played at the stadium during the 2023 ODI World Cup, scoring a century against Pakistan.
He also returned during the IPL 2024, representing Chennai Super Kings. These experiences were memorable, but Ravindra believes playing Test cricket carries its own significance.
"Obviously, when I was here last time, well I guess it was the IPL, and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. So, two pretty cool experiences to have, part of two very good teams and had those experiences,” he added.
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