Rachin Ravindra is gearing up to tackle the Jasprit Bumrah threat in
the forthcoming series in New Zealand.
The Indian fast bowler is not part of the ODI squad as part of his workload management, but will be available for the two-Test series.
“The spinners too will have a say, but I think the (main) threat is Bumrah. Typically, fast bowlers have taken so many wickets in New Zealand, the trend isn’t really the spinners ripping through us, and I hope I’m not wrong there, but things can change... but I’d certainly put Bumrah at the top of the list in terms of threat... Siraj is a very good bowler too,” Ravindra told The Telegraph during an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports.
“Bumrah is a challenge anywhere in the world. I think most of us, we do find him very difficult to face.
He’s gonna enjoy bowling in New Zealand... He’ll be
able to get in the bounce and the swing both ways, he’ll be able to extract a lot out of the surface, so…
“For us as a batting team, it’s recognising what he’s trying to do. He’s got so much skill... and hopefully we can counter that. I think it’s pretty hard to completely negate him, the way he goes about it, because he’s a world-class bowler. He’s one of the best
of the generation, so hopefully we can minimise his impact through good decision-making.”
Rachin was sidelined with a shoulder injury he picked up during a promo shoot last month and the ODI series against India will be a comeback of sorts. The New Zealand opener, however, is “frustrated” at missing out on the five-match T20I series, which begins on Thursday
“It can certainly be frustrating. I think injuries are never something you want to experience as an athlete,
especially as a cricketer and the shoulder stuff, and it’s happened multiple times
before, so yeah, it’s
certainly disappointing.
“But it’s always fun playing India, so that’s something you always think about... Everything happens for a reason. I’ve sort of got to believe that. But yeah, taking every step possible to be available for the ODI series..”
Rachin knows more than the fitness bit, it is the mental aspect that is important after a long layoff.
“Injuries, they happen, they’re a part of the game... I guess whenever you come back and you’ve had a break, it certainly takes a bit of time to settle back into playing games...” he said.
“This injury has probably put me out a little bit longer. So, I’d like to think I’d come in feeling a little bit more refreshed, hopefully. It’s been a busy three years, really, for me.
“Sometimes, you know, it’s a blessing in disguise, so I can really work on a few things that I want to and reset a little mentally, spend some time at home. So certainly, a bit of that, but I know it’s going to be a challenge.”
While terming India as “a fantastic side” and “one of the best teams in the world in all formats”, he warned the visitors that it will be about how they tackle the conditions in New Zealand.
“Shot selection will certainly be critical. I think in any testing conditions around the world, shot selection and decision-making are probably at the forefront of every batter’s mind. I’d say in New Zealand conditions, yeah, it’s bouncy, it nips around a little bit. You’ve probably got to be a little bit tighter on your technique and understand what balls you can leave and what balls you can defend,” Rachin explained.
India tour of NZ, live on Sony Sports and SonyLIV from October 22