IND vs NZ: Rachin Ravindra Slams Maiden Century Outside of New Zealand in Front of His Father in Bengaluru, Creating Memorable Homecoming

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Rachin Ravindra scripted a dream moment on Day 3 of the opening Test match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, slamming his second Test century on Friday (October 18).

The 24-year-old's brilliant innings was made even more special by the fact that it came in Bengaluru, a city with deep familial ties for the talented Kiwi batter of Indian origin.

Ravindra reached his milestone with a boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin, marking his first Test century outside New Zealand in the red ball format. The timing and setting couldn't have been more poetic - scoring in front of his father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, at a venue that holds significant personal meaning.

Before the series, Ravindra had shared his excitement about playing in a place closely connected to his roots. "I'm a Kiwi through and through, but I'm also very proud of my Indian heritage. Playing here, where a lot of my family is based, is something really special," he told reporters.

Ravindra's father, Ravi, grew up in Bengaluru, playing club cricket before settling in New Zealand. His grandparents, T. Balakrishna Adiga, a noted educationist, and Poornima, still reside in the Garden City, making this knock even more emotional for the family.

"Dad's come from Wellington to watch this game, and several family members in the crowd. It's definitely one of those pinch-yourself moments on this journey," Ravindra said.

Another Chinnaswamy Gem for Rachin Ravindra

Ravindra, who had already registered an ODI century at the same venue during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the tournament where he announced his arrival to the big stage, extended his love affair with the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, his Test hundred will likely rank higher in personal significance.

"Test cricket is the pinnacle. There's something special about playing a five-day match. It requires patience and perseverance, and doing it here, in front of my family, is incredible," the graceful left-hander added.

Dominating India's Spin Trio

Ravindra's unbeaten 104 (125 balls) before lunch was not just an innings of grit but one of supreme control, as he took on India's formidable spin attack with composure and precision. His strike rate against Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin, two of India's premier spinners, reflected his confidence.

• Against Jadeja: 41 runs off 39 balls, including four boundaries, a six, and several singles and doubles.
• Against Ashwin: 30 runs off 35 balls, including three fours, a six, and a steady stream of singles.
• Against Kuldeep: 17 runs off 15 balls, including two fours, and good strike rotations (9 runs in ones and twos).

He showcased remarkable control throughout the innings, registering an 82% control percentage, using sweeps effectively to neutralize the spinners. This attacking yet composed approach underscored his maturity, as he handled the spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav with ease.

A Moment to Cherish for His Father

For Ravi Krishnamurthy, watching his son excel in the same city where he had once pursued cricket must have been a surreal experience. With every run Rachin added to his total, his father's pride must have grown.

Having previously represented Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, Rachin Ravindra is already familiar with playing on the big stage in India. However, this Test century in Bengaluru - on his family's home soil-marks a new high in his cricketing journey.