Rachin Ravindra reveals how Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane shaped his Test preparation during IPL stint

Rachin Ravindra, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (Agency Image) Rachin Ravindra may not have spent much time in the middle during IPL 2026, but the New Zealand all-rounder believes that experience, along with talking to some of the modern greats of the game, has prepared him well for the tough stretch of Test cricket.As New Zealand prepare for their first-ever men’s Test against Ireland later this month, followed by a three-match series in England, Ravindra says he feels mentally refreshed after returning home early from his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, where options were limited.He left the KKR camp before the end of the season, a decision he says was handled smoothly and with full support from the franchise.“I mean, KKR have been very receptive and understanding of the situation. Obviously, the way it’s been going, I haven’t been playing. The decision has been discussed with the CEO and the coach to possibly come home for a refresher and of course they didn’t know I’d be home until… Well, I won’t be home until the end of August because of what’s to come,” Ravindra said, according to ESPNcricinfo.“So it’s really amazing for them to say go home, freshen up, do a bit of training and whatever you need before you join the guys in Ireland. Because there was always a bit of an overlap. It was easier because I wasn’t playing. It’s a great little refresher. We spend so much time away from home and even the four or five days at home that I’ve had is fantastic,” he added.Despite not getting consistent game time in the IPL, Ravindra insisted he does not feel undercooked as he heads into a busy red-ball assignment.“I haven’t played a game for a while and of course having drinks in the IPL and getting a chance to train and talk to the lads was great. But to be honest, I don’t feel much about match training. I think it was a very, very hectic schedule beforehand,” he said.He used the short break in New Zealand to fine-tune his Test preparations, including several sessions in Christchurch as he shifted his focus from cricket to the T20 franchise to the demands of the longer format.“But yeah, I think one of the reasons is that I was able to come home for about five days and do a bit of training and prepare for what’s to come because we know Test cricket is super important, especially the Ireland and England series. So I wanted to give myself the best chance. I was in Christchurch for a day and had a couple of training sessions there. I had a nice grass field,” he added.The main takeaway from his IPL season, Ravindra suggested, was the access to experienced internationals, which he believes strengthened his tactical understanding ahead of the Tests in English conditions.“Playing cricket and training has its advantages. IPL also has huge advantages. I mean you can talk to someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who is a lovely man who has played so much cricket overseas, scored a hundred at Lord’s and played so much cricket against England and Australia abroad,” said the Kiwi batsman.He also emphasized the value of insights from coaches and senior professionals around him, including former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, and the opportunity to pick the brains of top Indian players.“The coach (Abhishek Nayar) used to be the assistant batting coach for India. You’ve got Shane Watson, who’s our batting coach, who’s played England a lot, coached a lot of guys who’ve played England. So it’s kind of, it’s more than just T20. To be able to sit down and talk to Virat Kohli about all the batting successes or Rahul having all the batting successes. time,” he remarked.For Ravindra, the short IPL stint without regular match action also coincided with a timely reset ahead of what he expects to be a tough tour, especially in seam conditions.