On the eve of their home game against Gujarat Titans, the Kolkata Knight Riders announced in a squad update that all-rounder Rachin Ravindra had quit the IPL to start getting ready for New Zealand’s impending Test trip of England.
“Rachin Ravindra has returned home to begin his red-ball preparations for New Zealand’s upcoming Test tour to England,” KKR stated on Friday.
On Saturday, KKR will play Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens.
Ravindra returned home without playing a single game this season after being acquired by KKR at his base price of Rs 2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. His new team preferred to use Cameroon Green, a marquee signing, as their go-to all-rounder.
In preparation for his first visit to England, the 26-year-old Ravindra will now concentrate on red-ball training.
Before starting the three-match Test series in England, the Black Caps will play a four-day warm-up match against Ireland in Belfast starting on May 27. The Lord’s (June 4–8), The Oval (June 17–21), and Nottingham (June 25–29) will host the games.
With two victories and a draw, New Zealand is presently ranked second in the 2025–27 World Test Championship standings.
Ravindra, a frequent member of New Zealand’s Test team, scored an undefeated 165 against Zimbabwe in August 2025, followed by 176 and 72 not out in Christchurch and 46 in Mount Maunganui against the West Indies in December.
