It is quite an interesting study of the advancing mutual feeling of Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand against the ICC events, since the Kiwi lad scored a century on his Champions Trophy debut. Ravindra returned to New Zealand’s playing XI after missing a previous match against Pakistan because of an injury. The batter settled in patiently to score his century in yet another ICC outing. Consequently, Ravindra broke multiple records. He is the first batter in the history of the game to have scored a century in both his ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy debuts.
Because of Ravindra hitting a hundred against the Bangla Tigers, he surpassed the previous record of most centuries by a New Zealand batter in ICC ODI events. With this ton, Rachin now has four centuries in ICC ODI events, a record number by any New Zealander, breaking a tie with big names Kane Williamson and Nathan Astle, who each have three centuries in the ICC ODI events.
The young southpaw amassed three centuries during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. And then came another hundred, a remarkable 112(105), against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Rachin’s game-defining knock was laced with a whopping 12 fours and just one six.
A player that has already stamped his authority in the subcontinent, Rachin continued his rich vein of form in Asia. He made his way back into the New Zealand playing XI against Bangladesh after missing out on their debut against defending champions Pakistan, a fixture that determined Group A’s fate.
His hundred was a key component of the end of Bangladesh’s campaign and Pakistan’s title defence in the group stage.
On 72/3, New Zealand looked faltering, but steady Rachin performed admirably by nurturing a partnership of 129 runs with Tom Latham for the fourth wicket. Rachin and Latham understood the need for proper pacing of their partnership for constant runs, which pacified the Bangladeshi bowlers.
When fortune favored him, Rachin, belonging to the younger generation of cricketers, played with a wide selection of shots, thus helping the New Zealand innings.
And although a last-ditch effort by Bangladesh assuredly got rid of Rachin and Latham against the run of play, it was the cool heads and calm demeanor of Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips that secured the five-wicket win for the Black Caps with a couple of overs to spare.
Now New Zealand will fly to Dubai to play India in the last group A match on March 2 before advancing to the semi-finals.
In chasing 237, Rachin kept New Zealand on track and went after them with a brilliant batting performance. He raced away to his fourth ODI century in 95 balls and became the most successful batter from New Zealand in ICC ODI events.
