Young and talented batter Rachin Ravindra became the first New Zealand batter in 12 years to score a Test hundred in India. Rachin achieved this huge feat during the first Test between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, October 18, 2024.

New Zealand scored a decent total

The Bengaluru-origin batter, Rachin who originally hails from Wellington, maintained his sublime form from the 2023 ODI World Cup, notching up his second Test century as well. Ravindra shared an important partnership with Tim Southee as the duo took New Zealand's lead past 250 as well. With New Zealand's stunning batting attack continuing, Team India gave away the biggest first innings lead since 2013 at home as well.

The team take a 299-run lead into lunch on Day 3. A second Test century for Rachin Ravindra and a 112-run partnership with Tim Southee (49*) driving the team forward in Bengaluru. Follow play LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz or @SENZ_Radio LIVE scoring | https://t.co/yADjMlJjpO 🏏 pic.twitter.com/dpYLO2nu4U

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 18, 2024

Notably, former captain Ross Taylor was the last batter to hit a Test century in India with his 113-run knock and he also smashed it in Bengaluru as well. However, the talented batter came in at a stage where he had to play cautiously and started quite slow early on in the innings, but once he set his eyes on, he took on every bowler and completed a stunning hundred and became the 18th New Zealand player to score a hundred in India as well.

 

SEE ALSO: India vs New Zealand: Rishabh Pant to not keep wickets on Day 3 of Bengaluru Test

 

Rachin Ravindra made headlines with a hundred

Test century number two for Rachin Ravindra!

It comes from 124 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Pushing the team towards a big lead in Bengaluru. Follow play LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz or @SENZ_Radio LIVE scoring | https://t.co/yADjMlJjpO 📲 #INDvNZ #CricketNation 📸 BCCI pic.twitter.com/rshaKAYyDI

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 18, 2024

Meanwhile, Tim Southee, who stepped down from the captaincy before the series, gave much-needed support from the other end as he successfully defended the Indian spinners, allowing Rachin Ravindra to start playing his shots freely. Southee hit 5 fours and 4 sixes to score 65 off 73 balls, while Rachin got to his second hundred in quick time. With this six, he became the player to smash the sixth most sixes in Test cricket history as well. He scored 134 off 157 with 13 boundaries and 4 sixes as well.