New Delhi: New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra revealed a special text message he received from his father which expressed pride in the youngster’s achievements after the Blackcaps clinched a historic win, whitewashing India 3-0 in the Test series in his parents’ place of birth. The Kiwis are the first team in the history of cricket to whitewash India at their own backyard by 3-0.
The 24-year-old was the star of the first Test that was played in Bengaluru. Although he was born and brought up in Wellington, his familial roots are firmly entrenched in the Karnataka capital. “I haven’t heard my dad say to me, ‘so proud of you’ often in my life, so it was nice to get that message when we won,” Ravindra said on Sen Radio, as quoted by PTI.
The southpaw’s parents Ravi Krishnamurthy and Deepa hail from Bengaluru while his grandparents T. Balakrishna Adiga, a noted educationist, and Poornima still live in the tech city. He opened up on his exploits in the opening Test which was very well witnessed by his father from the Chinnaswamy stands. He slammed a century and an unbeaten 39 in his two innings to help New Zealand win the game by eight wickets.
“I had Dad watch the first Test in Bangalore in his hometown, which was nice, and I’m sure Mum was biting her nails in front of the TV, not moving an inch back home. It’s very special and to be able to do it in the country of (my parents’) birth is amazing. Although I’ve always maintained I’m 100 percent Kiwi born and brought up, it’s nice to get that reminder every now and again,” Ravindra admitted. He ended the series on a high, being the leading run-getter for New Zealand as he piled up 256 runs at an average of 51.20.
Taking up cricket
It was Ravindra’s father’s passion for the game that fuelled him to take up cricket as he used to wake at 5 a.m. every day for throwdowns in his driveway. “Obviously I’m just very grateful for everyone in my inner circle. I was making him get up and he’d come and throw balls for me two hours before school,” Ravindra added. He also stated his mother’s part in his journey saying that she used to get him ready for school, training, and games, quoting it as unconditional love and “stuff” he will never take “for granted.”
