New Zealand batting prodigy Rachin Ravindra has spoken of his admiration for England coach Brendon McCullum – and admitted his childhood memories of watching him bat left him gobsmacked.
It’s been a decade since 14-year-old Ravindra was among the thousands of fans cheering on McCullum for New Zealand’s first triple century at Wellington’s Basin Reserve. Now he is one of the wickets England will covet most as they look to bounce back from their series defeat in Pakistan.
“I’ve watched Baz on TV a lot growing up, so it’s quite interesting to meet him now,” Ravindra tells Mail Sport ahead of tomorrow night’s first Test in Christchurch. “I was there in my school uniform when he scored his triple hundred (against India) in the Basin. He was like 280 people overnight and the atmosphere the next morning was great.
“There was also his innings against England in the 2015 World Cup, and I also remember him running against South Africa’s Dale Steyn in that tournament with a bowling speed of 90mph. He’s a legend for New Zealand cricket, so I’ll always be a little bit in awe.
‘Everyone here talks about what a fearless leader he was, and as a cricket fan it’s cool to see how he transformed the England team.’
The rise of Ravindra – whose first name is a mix of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, two of his Indian father’s favorite players – is one of the most compelling stories in international cricket. And England have already had a taste of the 25-year-old’s elegant but destructive left-handed batting.
New Zealand batting superstar Rachin Ravindra (above) spoke out exclusively to Mail Sport about his admiration for England head coach and former Black Caps legend Brendon McCullum
McCullum was an explosive batsman during his playing days and has since transformed England
England Test captain Ben Stokes (right) and McCullum have committed to an aggressive style
It was Ravindra’s classy, unbeaten 123 from just 96 balls that helped condemn them to a nine-wicket defeat in the opening match of the 50-over World Cup just over a year ago in Ahmedabad – a result from which Jos Buttler’s team never recovered more recovered.
His Test batting, meanwhile, has entered a new phase since his return to the side in February after a two-year absence. He marked his comeback with 240 against South Africa at Mount Maunganui and more recently made a scintillating 134 as New Zealand started their sensational 3-0 win in India. None of his compatriots have scored more than his 855 Test runs in 2024.
That second hundred came in Bangalore, where most of his extended family lives. “My grandparents, an aunt and uncle, cousins were watching,” he says. “I’m sure there were a lot of my dad’s friends there too.”
So are there mixed loyalties? ‘Certainly. Before the World Cup semi-final in Mumbai last year, my grandfather said, “I want Rachin to score points, but I want India to win.” Ravindra made 13 that day, and New Zealand lost – but it took his tournament total to 578, with three centuries. Only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock scored better than him. Perhaps it was no surprise that he did so well in India.
After emigrating from Bangalore, Ravindra’s father, Ravi, founded the Hutt Hawks club in Wellington, and still organizes cricket tours back to his home country.
It was during those travels, from the age of 10, that Ravindra learned to play spin. An example of this was an innings of 92 against Sri Lanka on a turning track in Galle in September when no teammate passed 30.
Now he hopes New Zealand’s victory in India, where they became the first visiting side to win a Test series since Alastair Cook’s England 12 years ago, will spill over into the three-match series against Ben Stokes’ team in Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton. .
“The confidence to beat India at home, especially three Tests on the bounce and in some Test conditions, goes a long way,” he says.
The batsman, who says he was ‘starstruck’ by McCullum as a child, will be looking to impress his idol when New Zealand host England for a three-Test series this winter, starting on Wednesday.
Ravindra hit an impressive century against England in the 2023 ODI World Cup
But he admits the New Zealanders had to pinch themselves as the series progressed. “When we won the second Test I thought, OK, we’ve won the series – this is getting a bit weird. Then the third game on an absolute ragger, you win that too. The best part was the contributions across the board.’
All the while, Ravindra has been watching Bazball approvingly. “As a cricket fan, I enjoy it,” he says. ‘Every time England play a Test I’m excited to see them bat. It also makes you think about your own playing, which is pretty cool.
‘They are a strong team and they will come in well. That’s the way they play. It’s good for Test cricket.”