This was Rachin's 13th ODI match, and the maturity he showcased in his batting left everyone astonished. What's most intriguing is that Rachin wasn't even a confirmed part of the Playing XI for this game.
The ICC World Cup 2023 has kicked off with a thrilling start. In the first match held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, New Zealand defeated defending champions England by a convincing margin of nine wickets. England, batting first, managed to score 282 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Joe Root was the top scorer for England with 77 runs. In response, the New Zealand team achieved the target in just 36.2 overs, losing only one wicket. Devon Conway played a significant role with an unbeaten 152 runs off 121 balls, and Rachin Ravindra contributed with 123 runs off 96 balls. Both players made their World Cup debut in this tournament, and they set the stage on fire in their very first match.
However, the limelight was primarily on 23-year-old Rachin Ravindra, an all-rounder from New Zealand. He batted at number three against England, a position usually occupied by New Zealand's regular captain, Kane Williamson. Remarkably, Rachin wasn't even a confirmed part of the Playing XI for this match. The New Zealand team had initially announced their lineup with Loki Ferguson, but on Thursday, he revealed his injury, and Rachin was informed that he would be playing.
Despite the surprise inclusion, Rachin delivered a stellar performance. He not only displayed his prowess with the bat but also made a significant impact with the ball, taking a crucial wicket in his 10 overs. Rachin's incredible performance shattered records on his debut. He is now the fastest century-maker for New Zealand in ODI World Cups, achieving the feat in just 82 balls. On the other hand, Devon Conway, who also scored a century in this match, reached his milestone in 83 balls, placing him second on the list. This record was previously held by Martin Guptill, who scored a century in 88 balls against Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup. Rachin's century marked a remarkable start to his international career.
Following his exceptional performance against England, Rachin Ravindra has become the talk of social media. Everyone is eager to know more about the young cricketer, his connection to India, and the story behind his unique name. Let's find out.
Who Is Rachin Ravindra, and How Did He Get His Name?
Rachin Ravindra was born in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 18, 1999. His father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, is a software engineer originally from Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Ravi relocated to New Zealand in the 1990s, and Rachin was born in Wellington. Rachin's father is a big fan of legendary Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. When Rachin was born, his parents decided to name him after these cricket icons. They combined 'R' from Rahul and 'Chin' from Sachin to create the unique name 'Rachin.'
Early Cricket Career and International Debut
Rachin showed his talent at a young age. He played his first U-19 cricket matches and soon earned a place in the national cricket team. In September of the same year, he made his debut in international cricket with a T20I match against Bangladesh. Rachin was part of the New Zealand team in the 2016 and 2018 U-19 Cricket World Cups. He gained recognition as a rising star during the 2018 U-19 World Cup. Rachin was also selected in the New Zealand squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against India at Lord's, although he didn't find a place in the Playing XI.
Admiration for Sachin Tendulkar
In an interview, Rachin mentioned, 'I have trained at RDT Cricket (Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh) for four years during winters. I have tried to emulate the batting style of the great Sachin Tendulkar. My batting idol has always been Sachin. I watched and learned from him since I was very young.'
Rachin's remarkable journey and connection to Indian cricket legends make him an exciting talent to watch out for in international cricket. His splendid century on his World Cup debut has certainly left a mark, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly awaiting his future performances.
