Rachin Ravindra credits training stint at CSK Academy behind his success in Bengaluru Test

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Rachin Ravindra expressed relief after New Zealand dismissed Virat Kohli on the third day's final ball. He hoped their bowlers would maintain pressure on India.

Kohli, with 70 runs, and Sarfaraz Khan, also at 70 not out, had a 136-run partnership, bringing India to 231 for three in the first Test. Kohli's dismissal by Glenn Phillips, caught by Tom Blundell, provided some relief for New Zealand.

Ravindra acknowledged the challenge of facing India's strong batting lineup on a pitch offering little assistance. "It's pretty hard to crystal-ball gaze into the future. It's a quality batting line-up on a wicket that's not doing too much, so it's important for us to hold our lines and lengths and do that for long periods. But I think Kohli's wicket at the end was very important," he stated during a press conference.

Ravindra's Century and Preparation

New Zealand holds a lead of 125 runs, with Ravindra contributing significantly by scoring his second Test century, a stylish 134. The 24-year-old credited his training stint at the Chennai Super Kings Academy for his success. "It was an extremely invaluable experience," he said, noting that practising in realistic conditions helped him prepare better than in New Zealand.

Ravindra's century in Bengaluru was particularly special due to his family's presence, including his father, Ravi Krishnamoorthy. "Obviously, having my dad in the crowd is massive," he shared. Playing in his parents' hometown added emotional significance to his achievement.

Facing India's Spin Attack

Ravindra was pleased with his performance against India's renowned spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav. He emphasised the importance of balancing attack and defence while trusting one's defensive skills over time. "Kuldeep, Ashwin, Jadeja, obviously three guys have taken a lot of Test wickets between them," he noted.

Partnering with Tim Southee helped Ravindra build a solid partnership and frustrate the Indian bowlers. "Having Timmy Southee out there was great too. We were able to build a nice little partnership and frustrate them a little bit," he explained. The positive mindset allowed him to open up the field and score quickly on Bengaluru's favourable batting conditions.

The match continues with New Zealand aiming to capitalise on their lead while India seeks to regain control. Both teams are poised for an intense battle as they navigate the challenges presented by each other's strengths and strategies.