'I guess it makes it extra significant because...' - Rachin Ravindra talks about connection with Bengaluru ahead of 1st Test match

New Zealand's star batter Rachin Ravindra is super excited to play the first Test match against India in Bengaluru because he has a very special connection with the place. Rachin's roots are from Bengaluru, and his grandparents, T. Balakrishna Adiga, a noted educationist, and Poornima, still reside here. Hence, he is looking forward to playing the game here as his family members will come to watch him.

He has already scored a century in the Test matches for New Zealand and loves to play red-ball cricket. Like every other cricketer, he wants to play for as long as possible. Rachin said, "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."

While talking about his connection, he mentioned that his father would be sitting in the stands, cheering for him during the game. "I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection. There'll be a bunch of them in the crowd and I know Dad will be here watching. So those moments, you know, you pinch yourself on the journey, and for this, it's definitely one,” added Ravindra.

I'm very proud of my Indian heritage: Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra is from Wellington and started playing cricket very young. He is a talented player who opens the innings for New Zealand. He was also a part of the CSK team in the IPL 2024. Hence, this isn't the first time he has played in Bengaluru. Before this game, he played in the ODI World Cup 2023 in Bengaluru. He mentioned his happiness in playing in front of his family members. 

"I'm born and brought up in Wellington, you know, I'm a Kiwi all the way through. So, for me it's amazing and I'm very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something pretty special," said Ravindra.