New Zealand cricket has a new star in the shape of all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, after the 23-year-old lit up the opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Four years ago, Ravindra was glued to a TV while on a youth cricket tour of India, watching his country slip to the narrowest of defeats in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final against England.
Four years on, Ravindra is back in India, but this time it is the emerging all-rounder who was the star on show, obliterating England with a stunning century in the opening match of the 2023 edition of the tournament.
It was a particularly special moment to break through onto the world stage for a New Zealander born to Indian parents.
“I think a hundred is always special, but I guess in terms of being able to perform in India, it's cool to have the Indian roots. It was nice to have my parents there watching - they flew over from New Zealand," Ravindra said.
“It’s cool to have that moment and obviously it's always nice coming to India. I have a sense of family connection whenever I'm in Bangalore, being able to see my grandparents and stuff, it's pretty cool.”
If you think Ravindra’s first name sounds familiar, it’s because he was named by his cricket-loving parents after two of the great Indian batters – Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.
“I think those two (Dravid and Tendulkar) are pretty special cricketers. I've heard a lot of stories and watched a lot of footage and I guess the influence from my parents and my dad and the old-school Indian cricketers was pretty cool," Ravindra said.
“Obviously, I idolised Sachin Tendulkar. I think a lot of people did. I think the way he batted and his technique was beautiful to watch. I guess being a lefty, there's guys you look at: I love Lara, I love Sangakkara, just the usual gun left-handers; but Tendulkar was definitely the idol."
Digital Daily with former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull and ICC Digital Insider Tanvi Shah looks at the Black Caps' commanding victory over England at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
Ravindra’s blistering 123* came from just 96 deliveries, featured five sixes and 11 fours, and broke the spirit of England’s struggling bowling attack.
It was also the first time that the youngster had played in the top three in a full ODI for New Zealand, boosted up the order after impressing in the warm-up matches as a stand-in opener.
“I think I'm pretty lucky that I was able to get the chance to bat at three. I've opened the batting for my domestic team... so it’s somewhere I'm familiar batting, and I really enjoy batting at the top too," Ravindra said.
Whether or not Ravindra continues in the top three once Kane Williamson is fit to return remains to be seen, but he has made the strongest of cases and will be aided by his all-rounder status.
The spinner sent down a full set of 10 overs against England, but wasn’t too happy with his relatively expensive figures of 1/76.
“Obviously the sort of player I am, I want to be a genuine all-rounder and hopefully continue being a genuine all-rounder in the future. But I'm just happy with whatever labels put on," Ravindra said.
“It probably didn't come out as well as I would have wanted today, but look, that's the beauty of cricket. I think some days you have great days, some days you don't. So, we'll look at it and review it and hopefully go back again next game.”
The youngster’s attacking intent with the bat was critical to New Zealand’s powerplay blitz, putting his team well ahead of the run-rate and limiting the potential of England’s three-pronged spin attack through the middle overs.
After Chris Woakes and Mark Wood took the early punishment, the runs kept on flowing for the Kiwis.
“We played against him recently and he got some runs at Lord’s and played really well,” opposing captain Jos Buttler said after being on the receiving end of Ravindra’s brilliance.
“Obviously in the warm-up game at Hyderabad, I think he opened the batting and played really well as well.
“I think the two guys, if I look back, it wasn't like they were playing outrageous shots or scooping it over the keeper's head. They played excellent cricket shots and got fantastic value on that pitch. The margin felt very small for the bowlers and if you're a little bit off, they put you away.
"I thought those two played really, really well and put together obviously a quite incredible partnership.”
Ravindra’s unbroken stand of 273 runs with Devon Conway is New Zealand’s highest ever at a global tournament, while his first international century is also his country’s fastest in men’s ODIs, coming off 82 balls and breaking the record that Conway had set earlier in this same match.
“The best thing was they played good cricket shots, which was the most pleasing thing,” New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said.
“They just reacted to what was being bowled, but it certainly wasn’t a plan to come out and play that way.
“He (Ravindra) played a fantastic innings and we’re super proud of him and the way he’s come out. It’s his first ODI in that position and we’re looking forward to getting around him tonight.”
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