There is heightened anticipation in the cricketing world ahead of the clash of titans between India and New Zealand at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. The Kane Williamson-led Black Caps left no stone unturned on Monday, engaging in a full-tilt training session to brace themselves against an unbeaten Indian juggernaut.
All eyes were on the meteoric rise of New Zealand’s sensation, Rachin Ravindra. Having amassed a staggering 565 runs at an average of 70, alongside five crucial wickets, Ravindra has been the talk of the town. His prowess was on full display at the nets, treating onlookers to a spectacle of delightful cover drives and precise cut shots. A relaxed game of foot-volley set the tone, before Ravindra showcased his thunderous form with three stints at the nets.
Praises for the young sensation echoed in the words of New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson during the press conference, acknowledging Ravindra’s exceptional attitude and dedication to the game.
Good player, right? I’ve sort of seen Rachin progress from domestic stages and played some New Zealand A-games with him. I think probably on and off the field, he’s got an exceptional attitude the way he goes about life, but especially with his cricket. He’s a huge fan of cricket, but also works extremely hard on his batting and bowling. And he’s been a huge part of our team throughout this World Cup,” the New Zealand pace bowler said.
Ferguson also took a jog down the memory lane to reflect upon New Zealand’s famous win over India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. “Four years ago, it was a pretty spectacular game. Over two days, I’ve never played a one-day game over two days. So, I think playing that game was pretty incredible and obviously very pleasing for us at the time, but four years have gone past, we’ve played a lot of cricket in between, and both teams I’m sure are raring to go come Wednesday,” he quipped.
As New Zealand’s practice session unfolded, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Williamson, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, and others showed their prowess with the bat, launching massive sixes and signalling that the Black Caps mean business.
Williamson, the epitome of classical batting, exhibited his sublime touch during his net session. He largely played with a straight bat. Meanwhile, the explosive hits launched by Mitchell and Phillips stood out, with a dozen balls finding their way into the stands effortlessly. Mitchell, a linchpin in the Black Caps’ middle order, boasts a formidable record with 418 runs at an average of 59.71 in the ongoing showpiece event.
The pace bowling duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee didn’t shy away either, but it was Boult who stole the limelight. Swinging the ball with pace and precision, Boult troubled batters at the nets, even clean bowling Williamson on one instance, leaving the skipper in awe. With an impressive record against India in ODIs with 25 wickets in 14 innings against India, Boult’s left-arm angle and new-ball prowess pose a potent threat at the Wankhede, where pacers find assistance.
Before New Zealand’s practice session, the Indian coaching triumvirate of Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey visited the Wankhede Stadium. Taking a meticulous look at the pitch, they assessed the conditions of what promises to be a batting paradise. Team India is set to hit the nets on Tuesday.