New Delhi: New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra lauded the Team India duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin ahead of the 1st Test of the three-match series between the two sides which gets underway on Wednesday, October 16. The first Test will be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahead of the series opener, Ravindra spoke highly of the Indian pair of Ashwin and Jadeja in the pre-match press conference.
Ashwin and Jadeja have been vital cogs in India’s Test line-up over the years and have played an instrumental role in the team’s dominance in the longest format at home. The duo have bagged over 800 Test wickets between them and have also amassed more than 6,000 runs together. They both are among the elite list of all-rounders with more than 300 wickets and 3,000 runs in Test cricket.
Ravindra believes it will be crucial for New Zealand to nullify the threat possessed by Ashwin and Jadeja if they are to fancy their chances in the series. Ashwin scored 114 runs and finished with 11 wickets while Jadeja notched up 94 runs and scalped 9 wickets in two matches to help India register a 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in their last Test assignment at home.
“They’ve got consistent bowlers who bowl in an area for a long period of time. I mean, you see the two spinners who play consistently, Ashwin and Jadeja, they’re two very accomplished bowlers. You know, they can bat too, which makes it a little bit hard,” Ravindra said in the pre-match presser in Bengaluru on Monday.
Ravindra further highlighted the quality in India’s batting line-up and their bowling attack to explain the reason behind their dominance at home. India have been unbeaten in their last 18 Test series at home and will be looking to continue their dominant run against the Kiwis.
“They’re consistent, they’re good to battle, especially in this part of the world. Obviously, we know how good India are in their own conditions, the quality of their bowlers and batters. It shows how hard it is for a team to come and win here. So, it’s difficult,” Ravindra added.
New Zealand look to bounce back after Sri Lanka drubbing
New Zealand are heading into the challenging series against India after suffering a crushing 2-0 defeat in their last Test series against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka thrashed the visitors by an innings and 154 runs in the 1st Test in Galle before hammering them by 63 runs in the next game to register a 2-0 whitewash. The Kiwis will look to bounce back in the upcoming series against India.
Tom Latham will be leading the visitors in the three-match series against India after veteran pacer Tim Southee stepped down from captaincy following the Sri Lanka drubbing. Despite heading into the India series on the back of a poor show in Sri Lanka, Racindra is hopeful the learnings from their last series can help the team in India.
“We did some really good stuff during the Sri Lankan series, obviously, came on the wrong side of the win and loss column. But I think as a group there were times where we really pushed and that first Test was close,” said the opening batter.
New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra heaped praise on the star duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja while highlighting India’s incredible dominance at home. India will take on New Zealand in a three-match series starting October 16. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
