Rachin Ravindra's decision to leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) early has been a strategic move for the New Zealand cricket team as they prepare for a one-off test against Ireland at Stormont Cricket Ground. Although this decision means losing out on a $380,000 contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Ravindra believes that returning home for a short break is essential for his performance. He has not played a competitive match since the T20 World Cup final in March and acknowledges the challenge of transitioning back to red-ball cricket after a long absence. Despite this, he feels confident and ready for the series, which marks the beginning of a demanding year for New Zealand, with 14 test matches scheduled across various series. Ravindra appreciates the learning experiences gained from training with top players in the IPL, which he believes will benefit him in the upcoming matches. He hopes that the excitement surrounding New Zealand's test cricket this year resonates with fans across the country.