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Rachin Ravindra Makes Epic 240 On Return As NZ Stamp Mighty 511 Vs SA

image-ls8erss8Rachin Ravindra [X.com]

Rachin Ravindra stretched his comeback hundred for New Zealand in the first innings of the opening Test against South Africa into a marathon double century as the young left-hander repaid the faith shown in him by the team management and the selectors. 

Playing only his second home Test since early 2022 after replacing the struggling Henry Nicholls, Ravindra produced a marvellous double ton batting at the critical No.4 slot and piled on the South African misery to take the BlackCaps towards an imposing innings total of 511. 

The Indian-origin Kiwi cricketer finished off with a career-best 240 off 366 deliveries in his excellent effort, showcasing great patience and resolve in the middle after predominantly playing white-ball games for New Zealand over the last two and a half years.

 

Rachin Ravindra Makes 240 Off 366 On Test Comeback 

Walking into bat with New Zealand under strife against the new ball at 39 for 2, Rachin produced a high-class partnership with former skipper and Kiwi batting great Kane Williamson. Their pair of centuries on Sunday (February 4) at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui allowed the hosts to retain their usual dominance in home conditions. 

Even when Williamson departed after his brilliant century, Ravindra exhibited great maturity by taking the responsibility on his shoulder and guided the rest of the pack by retaining solidity and gumption at his end. It was difficult to believe that this was just a 24-year-old playing anchor for a top New Zealand side on his return. 

The innings also belied New Zealand's surprising decision to leave out their ICC World Cup 2023 hero from Test team in Bangladesh. Despite rallying on the wave of his terrific performances in the quadrennial event, the promising cricketer was made to wait for his next Test cap until the start of the Proteas challenge. 

At the time of publishing, the Blackcaps have scalped three of South Africa's wickets after New Zealand smacked a gigantic total of 511 runs at Mount Maunganui.