Rachin Ravindra will carry along with him that soothing “home ground” feeling when the New Zealand top-order batter plays in the first cricket Test against India, whose opening day was washed out in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
After all, his familial roots are firmly entrenched in Bengaluru. His parents Ravi Krishnamurthy and Deepa hail from the city, while his grandparents T. Balakrishna Adiga, a noted educationist, and Poornima still live there.
A cosy family get together was on the cards during the match, reported the Press Trust of India.
“It’s something different about playing a Test match. You’re here for five days and it’s a tradition, you know, Test cricket’s the pinnacle. I guess the family connection makes it extra significant,” said Ravindra.
His father Ravi has flown in from Wellington to watch his son play Test cricket in a city where he spent his formative years and played club cricket.
“There’ll be a bunch of them in the crowd and I know dad will be here watching. During such moments, you know, you pinch yourself,” said Ravindra.
The 24-year-old was born and brought up in Wellington, but the “Indianness” inside him still burns bright.
“I’m a Kiwi all the way through. And I’m also very proud of my Indian heritage. To be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something pretty special,” he said.
This won’t be the first time Ravindra is playing in Bengaluru, reported Reuters. The graceful left-hander played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during last year’s 50-overs World Cup, and notched a 108 against Pakistan.
He then returned to the venue during Indian Premier League 2024 wearing the Chennai Super Kings’ deep yellow jersey.
Ravindra relived those memories.
“Two pretty cool experiences to have. I was very fortunate to be part of two very good teams and to have had those experiences,” he said.
