IND vs NZ, 1st Test Day 3: Rachin Ravindra Hits Century in Style

The India vs New Zealand 1st Test match has been nothing short of thrilling, and Day 3 has added even more excitement to the contest. The star of the day is none other than New Zealand’s young sensation, Rachin Ravindra, who brought up his century in style. Facing India’s top spinners and pacers, Ravindra showed great composure and power, reaching his second Test century in just 124 balls.

Ravindra’s century has put New Zealand in a commanding position in the match. Partnered with Tim Southee, who has also been dealing in boundaries, the duo has frustrated Indian bowlers and brought New Zealand closer to a strong total.

Rachin Ravindra’s Brilliant Knock

Rachin Ravindra’s century came at a crucial time for New Zealand. The Indian bowlers had been looking for quick wickets, but Ravindra had other plans. He played with confidence, using his footwork to tackle India’s spinners, especially Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra mixed caution with aggression, punishing bad deliveries with boundaries and rotating the strike with ease.

His 100-run knock is a testament to his skill and ability to perform under pressure. Reaching his century with a boundary off Ashwin was a moment of class. It’s not easy to dominate Indian bowlers in home conditions, but Ravindra made it look effortless, toying with the field and making the Indian bowlers work hard for every ball.

A Perfect Support from Tim Southee

While Rachin Ravindra was leading the charge, Tim Southee provided excellent support from the other end. The experienced all-rounder has been equally aggressive, hitting boundaries and building a solid partnership with Ravindra. Southee’s aggressive approach has helped take some pressure off Ravindra, allowing him to focus on accumulating runs.

Southee is known for his ability to contribute valuable runs in the lower order, and this match has been no exception. His powerful hitting has added to New Zealand’s total, further frustrating India’s bowlers. Together, Ravindra and Southee have built a partnership that has put New Zealand in a strong position on Day 3.

Indian Bowlers Struggling to Break Through

India’s bowling attack, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj, has struggled to break the partnership between Ravindra and Southee. While Ashwin tried different variations and Siraj brought in pace, neither of them could find a way to dismiss the in-form Rachin Ravindra.

The Indian spinners, known for dominating on home soil, found it difficult to contain Ravindra’s aggression. Ashwin, in particular, was targeted by Ravindra as he played some fantastic strokes, including the boundary that brought up his century. India will need to regroup and come up with a fresh strategy if they want to dismiss these set New Zealand batsmen quickly.

New Zealand in Control

With Rachin Ravindra’s century and Tim Southee’s valuable contributions, New Zealand is firmly in control of this Test match. Their innings has put pressure on India, especially after India’s batting collapse in the first innings, where they were bundled out for just 46 runs – their third-lowest total in Test history.

New Zealand’s current lead has placed them in the driver’s seat, and India will need to find breakthroughs quickly if they want to avoid a larger deficit. New Zealand’s solid batting effort, led by Ravindra, has given them the upper hand in this match, and they are looking to pile on as many runs as possible before declaring or getting bowled out.

India’s Path to a Comeback

Although New Zealand is in control, all hope is not lost for India. To make a comeback, India’s bowlers need to dismiss the remaining New Zealand batsmen quickly. They cannot afford to let the lead grow further, as that will only add more pressure on their batsmen in the second innings.

India’s star spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, needs to step up and take key wickets. Jadeja, too, has the ability to turn the game in India’s favor. India’s pacers, led by Siraj, will need to be more aggressive in their approach to get through the remaining wickets. Once New Zealand’s innings ends, it will be up to India’s batsmen to deliver a much-improved performance in their second innings.

Rachin Ravindra – A Star in the Making

Rachin Ravindra’s century has solidified his status as one of the most promising young cricketers in the world. His composure, technique, and ability to score against top bowlers in tough conditions show that he is a player to watch out for in the future.

This is his second century in Test cricket, and he seems to have the maturity of a seasoned player despite being relatively new to international cricket. His innings on Day 3 has not only helped New Zealand but has also added to his growing reputation as a rising star in world cricket.

Conclusion

Day 3 of the India vs New Zealand 1st Test match has been all about Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant century. His outstanding knock has put New Zealand in a dominant position, while India is left searching for answers. Tim Southee’s valuable contributions have further strengthened New Zealand’s innings, and the duo’s partnership has pushed India onto the back foot.

India’s bowlers will need to come up with a fresh strategy to dismiss New Zealand’s lower order and get their batsmen ready for a challenging second innings. As Day 3 progresses, fans can expect more exciting cricket as both teams battle for control.

With Rachin Ravindra’s century lighting up the day, this Test match is shaping up to be an enthralling contest. India will hope for a comeback, but New Zealand has all the momentum on their side.