IND vs NZ 2024: Tom Latham credits Rachin Ravindra and other top performers from side after convincing win in 1st test

At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, New Zealand and their fans celebrated as they won the opening game of the three-match Test series against India by a margin of seven wickets. The visitors put on a completely dominant performance because they were always one step ahead of India, who, despite their best efforts, were unable to compel a favorable outcome.

Tom Latham, the red-ball captain of New Zealand, was full of appreciation for his colleagues after the Black Caps suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka. He praised the pace-bowling combination led by Mark Henry and William O’Rourke for their performance on Day 1 of the match, as well as veteran Tim Southee and centurion Rachin Ravindra for their 137-run partnership for the eighth wicket in their opening innings.

“We got the outcomes because we put the ball in the appropriate places. We were aware that India would attack us again in the third innings, but we were able to recover thanks to the bowlers’ kind queries with the second new ball. When the game was on the line, Rachin and Tim (Southee)’s partnership came through. The international scene has seen William O’Rourke excel. bounce, pace, and the ball’s capacity to travel both off the wicket and through the air. Both (Matt) Henry and the seasoned Southee supported him. “We are aware of Tim’s batsmanship,” Latham said at the post-game press conference.

His appearance and performance today calmed the nerves in our changing room: Tom Latham

Latham was full of praise for Rachin’s ability to transition as smoothly as possible into his No. 4 role. “Rachi is a young man who previously played Test cricket, and he has adapted to a new job that he is not accustomed to. The way he came out and batted today calmed the tensions in our changing room,” Latham continued.

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Because of his batting performance, the 24-year-old southpaw was justifiably named Player of the Match. He didn’t go into a shell when he came into bat with 72 to win; instead, he was bold in his strokeplay, working with Will Young to lead the Kiwis to a well-earned triumph.