'Surreal to hear name chanted': Rachin Ravindra speaks on India connect, record-breaking campaign

Rachin Ravindra is having the time of his life in World Cup 2023, where he is the highest run-getter, and on Thursday it became even better as Indian fans chanted his name during New Zealand’s win over Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The southern city was once home to the 23-year-old’s parents before they moved to New Zealand.

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Ravindra, one of the breakout stars of the World Cup, gave fans plenty to shout about as he made 42 in his team’s five-wicket win which has almost guaranteed New Zealand a place in the semi-finals.

“It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” Ravindra told Star Sports. “I am grateful for the support, especially playing in Bangalore. The crowd chanting my name is something I will never take for granted.

“I dreamt of it as a child. I feel very happy to be here, lucky enough it worked out.”

With a first name reflecting his father’s love of the game — ‘Ra’ from Rahul Dravid and ‘chin’ from Sachin Tendulkar — Ravindra has shown no sign of suffering any burden carrying the names of two of India’s most famous cricketing sons.

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He has three centuries at this World Cup and a tournament-leading 565 runs from nine innings at an average of a shade over 70. He now holds the record for most runs on ODI World Cup debut.

“Six to 12 months ago, I wasn’t even in the frame,” he admitted.

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