KANPUR: Wellington Firebirds all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has become the youngest New Zealand Test debutant since Ish Sodhi (Bangladesh, 2013), after finding a place in the playing eleven against India in the first Test of the two-match series here.
The 22-year-old will wear Test cap number 282 and bat at seven in a spin-strong bowling line-up featuring Ajaz Patel, Will Somerville and pacemen Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson.
Ravindra was presented his Test cap by Firebirds teammate Tom Blundell who has taken over the Test wicket-keeping gloves after BJ Watling's retirement.
Young will open the batting in the absence of the injured Devon Conway. The match is the first for the Blackcaps in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
In the first Test, Ajinkya Rahane is leading India in regular skipper Virat Kohli's absence.
