Ravindra scored a staggering 578 runs in 10 games at an average of 64.22, which included three centuries and two half-centuries.He finished as New Zealand’s leading run-getter and fourth overall in the tournament. He also claimed five crucial wickets for the Kiwis with his left-arm spin.
However, speaking in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, former New Zealand and Mumbai Indians bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who is currently plying his trade for Manipal Tigers in Legends League Cricket T20, explained how Ravindra could’ve missed the World Cup squad.
Excerpts:
What is your take on Rachin Ravindra’s phenomenal form in the World Cup?
I guess in international cricket, you never know, right? He didn’t get an opportunity to bat at the top of the order, leading into this tournament for New Zealand. It looked like they were trying to put him into the Michael Bracewell role, six or seven. So internationally, you just never know until they’re facing the likes of Mark Wood in the first game of the World Cup at the top of the innings. That’s how they’re going to be able to deal with that little bit of extra pace and bounce and the natural movement from top-quality bowlers.
But he was exceptional domestically. He’s always had the goods. Technically, if you look at it from a bowler’s point of view, there are not too many holes in his armoury. And his strong leg-side game actually goes very well with international cricket. And if you can protect the stumps and score off the stumps, it’s something any young cricketer should be looking to master before they get to that international level.
We can all play a cover drive, but can you do it to Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc at 145 kmph? You can’t. So you need to be able to have the repertoire to be able to score on the leg side off good balls. And he’s definitely got that. So a great start for him. It got us to where we got to in the World Cup and a lot of applause should be given to him for that.
(PTI Photo)
Do you think Kane Williamson’s injury played a part in Ravindra’s rise as a top-order batsman?
I think the story goes back a little bit further. If Michael (Bracewell) had not pulled up his achilles, I don’t think Rachin Ravindra would make the World Cup squad. So that came in as a factor. So for Rachin to even have the opportunity was probably incredibly lucky. There was probably a five percent chance he was ever going to play in this World Cup. And that’s just the most impressive thing.
You come in under a lot of pressure in a World Cup when you’re probably not ready. You haven’t had any international experience in that position to come in and perform how he did. It probably just shows how mentally ready he was for international cricket. It probably also shows the solid pathway that New Zealand cricket has given him by introducing him lower down the order, getting him used to international cricket under a little bit less pressure than he would have while opening.
(AP Photo)
How are you feeling being back on the field in Legends League Cricket?
Yeah, it’s been enjoyable already. It’s been fun to get out there. It’s been a shock to the body. But it’s nice to get introduced slowly again and reunite with some players like Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) and then Colin de Grandhomme. I have played cricket with him for a very long time since he moved to New Zealand from Zimbabwe when he was 17. So it’s been nice to reunite with him. All the guys have been great.
It’s nice to see some great players play up close. Some guys I’ve had some tough battles with on the opposite side of the league, but it’s been nice. And actually really, really nice and relaxed under Bhajji and Robin Uthappa. They’ve been very good, well organised. It’s been a pleasure so far.
How difficult is it to play cricket after taking retirement, both physically and mentally?
It’s probably a little bit more difficult for bowlers. It can take a little bit more time for you to find your feet again. You lose power and speed as you get older. And some of us, like myself, put a little bit of weight on, which is normal after 15 to 20 years of dedication to your craft. There’s a time you take a foot off the brakes, but I’ve really enjoyed it.
It’s been great to see some of the batters, how well they strike the ball even now after being retired. I think that’s probably the most exciting part about it all is that you’re seeing sixers galore, boundaries all the time. It’s really exciting for the fans to come and watch and for people on TV to see guys who probably still could be in their prime, still be playing. I feel I’ve still been playing international cricket, seeing them strike the ball out of the stadium. It’s exciting, particularly when it’s not off my ball.
(Manipal Tigers Photo)
Is there any difference mentally?
No. I think it’s probably a little bit less pressure. If you don’t perform, it’s not the end of your career. It’s a lot more enjoyable than anything.
After retirement, what have you been doing besides playing cricket?
Just working back home and then starting to get into some coaching and some commentary at the moment. So I’m enjoying that, which has been good fun, linking up with ICC for the World Cup qualifiers, a good experience to see some really good gun talent around the world and then enjoy the New Zealand series overseas. It’s been good as well. So I’am still staying in touch. Coaching a couple of bowlers as I get my qualifications. So I’m really enjoying that.
You were part of the 2015 World Cup squad for New Zealand. How difficult mentally is it to overcome a defeat like that in the final?
I think this game’s gone, right? You can’t change it. Like Pat Cummins said, every half an hour, he thought about winning, remembering that they just won the World Cup. For a period of time you have that every 30 minutes or so, (we have that feeling that) we just lost the World Cup. But as time goes on, the pain of that loss definitely dissipates. And the friendships that you’ve learned throughout that period probably extend a little bit further as time goes on.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
