World Cup 2023: Who is Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand all-rounder who scored a match-winning ton against England

New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra grabbed the headlines on Thursday after he slammed a century during the opening match of the 2023 ODI World Cup against England in Ahmedabad.

Having opted to field first, New Zealand saw off England for 282 after Matt Henry picked three wickets. In Black Caps’ reply, they lost Will Young early. However, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway turned things around with a formidable partnership.

Rachin Ravindra, coming into bat at number three after Young’s dismissal, got to his century in 82 deliveries, hitting nine fours and four sixes.

He went onto score an unbeaten 123 from 96 deliveries, and put on a record 273-run stand with fellow centurion Devon Conway (152*).

The duo’s tons helped New Zealand thump England by nine wickets in Ahmedabad.

Who is Rachin Ravindra?

Rachin Ravindra is a New Zealand cricketer who plays as an all-rounder. Rachin is a native of Karnataka. His father, Ravi Krishnamurthy who was a  club cricketer, migrated to New Zealand in the 1990s. Ravi named his son Rachin, after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

Rachin plays as an all-rounder. He is an aggressive left-handed batter who can also bowl some left-arm spin.

Rachin Ravindra, remember the ,,,,,,,,, you know the rest. Great from himself and one of my favorite batters in the modern game across formats, Devon Conway. #ICC World Cup centuries to savor.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 5, 2023

Ravindra made his U19 World Cup debut in the 2016 edition, but was more impactful in the 2018 edition of the tournament, picking up 13 wickets from six matches, to finish among the top five wicket takers’ list.

Following his stupendous display in the 2018 U19 World Cup, Ravindra was awarded with a contract with Wellington for the 2018-19 domestic season.

He went onto make his List A debut during a match between New Zealand A and Pakistan A on 21 October, 2018, and just nine games later, he would make his first-class debut against the same opposition.

It was against Auckland during the 2019-20 Ford Trophy that Ravindra would go onto score his maiden century in List A cricket. The same season, Rachin scored his maiden first-class century, during the sixth round of Plunket Shield.

Although Ravindra was in the New Zealand squad for the World Test Championship final against India in June 2021, he only made his Test debut in November that year, also against India.

In September 2021, Rachin made his T20I debut against Bangladesh in Mirpur, where he registered figures of 1/21.

Rachin only made his ODI debut earlier this year in March, against Sri Lanka in Auckland. He scored a match-winning 49 to help New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 198 runs.

So far, Rachin has played 13 ODIs and scored 312 runs at an average of 39. As far as his wickets are concerned, the 23-year-old has 13 wickets at an economy of 6.31.