India vs New Zealand: ‘We did it together bro’ – Rachin Ravindra to Ajaz Patel on Kanpur Test heroics

New Zealand batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra revealed how nervous he was while playing his first Test against India in India and in front of thousands of fans at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur this week.

Rachin Ravindra turned out to be the hero for the tourists along with Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel on Monday as they hung on for dear life in the final stages of the match on Day 5 to escape with a draw in the series opener.

Debutant Ravindra finished unbeaten on 18 and combined brilliantly with number 11 Patel to keep the last wicket intact through 52 balls of elite Indian spin in fading light.

The 22-year-old spent 91 minutes and faced as many deliveries while Patel batted for nearly half-an-hour during their stunning rearguard to deny the hosts.

“Being able to play in India in front of crazy fans. Glad to have done that. My mum and dad have been such big influences on my career. I am sure that they are proud. We did it together bro,” Rachin said while sharing a smile with Patel as the pair got together for a fun chat after the match.

Rachin, who’s father named him after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, went on to reveal how “nerve-wrecking” it was for him to face the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel on a pitch with variable bounce and offering assistance to the spinners in deteriorating light.

India deployed seven fielders around the bat during the 10th-wicket stand but were still thwarted by the over-my-body defiance from Rachin and Patel.

“I think I was actually alright in the end, I knew my process, my training, and I backed myself to do it. You are kind of pretty focussed, taking in the crowd, you know, how loud they were

“It was quite nerve-wrecking. I guess we (he and Patel) somehow managed our nerves together. It’s a moment I will never forget. “It’s the kind of stuff you dream about as a kid. You watch test matches like that and that’s where your heroes and your idols are made,” Rachin said.

India fielded a depleted squad for the match with several frontline players either rested or recuperating — including regular skipper Virat Kohli, who will return for the second and final test which starts in Mumbai on Friday.