Rachin Ravindra's father throws light on the cricketer's journey

Ravi Krishnamurthy, a software engineer who emigrated to New Zealand from Bangalore in the mid-90s, named his son Rachin after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra in action against India in Kanpur.

Ahead of his momentous Test debut, Ravi Krishnamurthy gave his son Rachin Ravindra valuable advice. He told the young cricketer, “Do not get emotional. It leads to a confused mental state. Use logic and common sense.”

And the left-handed Rachin, displaying great composure and an organised game, did just that. The southpaw defied the Indian spinners on a fifth day pitch, batting 91 deliveries for an unbeaten 18, to force a heroic draw in the Kanpur Test.

Ravi, a software engineer who emigrated to New Zealand from Bangalore in the mid-90s, eats and breathes cricket.  

Asked about Rachin overcoming a pressure situation, Ravi, speaking to  Sportstar  from his home in Wellington, said, “Pressure is a perception. It’s what you feel in the mind. Keep your mind relaxed. Rachin understands this. Keeps it simple.”

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Ravi, the founder of Hutt Hawks which sends a team to India every year, said, “You are surrounded by close-in catchers, there are five of them. Fine, don’t talk to them. Just play the ball on merit. Keep your mind blank.”

Rachin, now 22, has been playing with a hard cricket ball since the age of five, Ravi revealed. “All his visits to India and batting in the hot conditions and on pitches offering turn certainly helped in his Test debut.”

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Father and son have several conversations on cricket. Ravi said, “Some of the hardest tasks in cricket have kindergarten solutions!”

Ravi stayed awake at night to watch Rachin’s match-saving innings. “Obviously I am happy. He has come through schools and age-group cricket. Can bowl useful left-arm spin too. He’s a great kid, very mature for his age and likes a laugh.”

Ahead of the India tour, Ravi advised Rachin, who opens for Wellington, to play five sessions to force a draw against the strong Canterbury.

The ball was seaming around and swinging at the Basin Reserve, yet Rachin batted four and a half sessions for his 70. “He almost pulled it off. Mentally, he gave everything.”

Ravi said, Rachin has a power game but can adapt to conditions and situations.       

And guess why he named him Rachin? It’s a combination of Rahul [Dravid] and Sachin [Tendulkar].