Rachin Ravindra made his Test debut in 2021 against India in Kanpur, but the first Test of the series beginning in Bengaluru on Wednesday will hold a special place for the India-origin all-rounder, as it's the city from where his family belongs.
"I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection," said Ravindra, who will turn 25 in November.
The promising start to his international career has seen Ravindra scoring 672 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 50.98, including one century, when he scored 240, and three half-centuries.
He has also played 25 ODIs and 23 T20Is.
"It's amazing and I am very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something very special," he said at the pre-match press conference.
"There will be a bunch of them (family members) in the crowd, and I know dad will be here watching. Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey and this is definitely one of them," added the left-handed batsman, who also bowls useful spin, which has yielded 10 Test wickets so far.
Ravindra announced himself in a big way during the ODI World Cup in India last year, scoring 578 runs in 10 matches that included three centuries.
He then went on to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, scoring 222 runs.
"Obviously when I was here last, there was the IPL and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. Two pretty cool experiences to have. (I was) part of two very good teams and had those experiences but I guess it's something different about playing a Test match. You are here for five days, it's tradition, Test cricket is the pinnacle. So it's always nice to play Test cricket, not just in New Zealand but also away," said the Wellington-born player.
