New Delhi: Rachin Ravindra made an emphatic injury comeback as he smashed a brilliant century on his Champions Trophy debut against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday. Ravindra, who suffered a forehead injury during the recently concluded tri-series in Pakistan, slammed a scintillating knock of 112 runs off 105 balls during the Kiwis’ second group-stage clash against Bangladesh.
Ravindra came out to bat at number 4 during New Zealand’s 237-run chase when the Black Caps were reeling at 72/3 having lost Devon Conway. The 25-year-old left-hander joined hands with Tom Latham to steady the ship for New Zealand with a match-winning partnership for the 4th wicket. Rachin and Latham added a 129-stand to put the Kiwis in touching distance of a commanding victory.
Rachin smashed a 112-run knock laced with 12 fours and a six and showed no signs of rustiness on his return as he took the Bangladesh bowlers to the cleaners en route to his maiden Champions Trophy ton. Rachin played some phenomenal shots across all parts of the ground during his swashbuckling knock and manoeuvred the gaps with ease.
Most centuries in ICC ODI tournaments for New Zealand
Rachin also broke former captain Kane Williamson’s record with his ton against Bangladesh. The left-hander’s 112-run knock on Monday was his 4th century in an ICC ODI tournament for New Zealand, the most by any batter in the country. He surpassed Williamson, who has hit three centuries in ICC ODI events for the Kiwis.
Most centuries for New Zealand in ICC ODI events:
Rachin Ravindra – 4 in 11 innings
Kane Williamson – 3 in 34 innings
Nathan Astle – 3 in 35 innings
It is an incredible achievement for Rachin as he made his ODI debut for New Zealand in 2023. The 2023 ODI World Cup was his first ICC ODI event for the national team where he took the world by storm with his impressive show. The left-hander was one of the revelations of the tournament as he notched up 578 runs in 10 innings at an average of 64.22 and a strike rate of 106.44, including 3 centuries.
He was also awarded the Emerging Player of the Tournament award for his heroics at the 2023 ODI World Cup where New Zealand lost in the semi-finals against India. Rachin made a roaring start to his Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a ton against Bangladesh on Monday and will be looking to continue his fine form in the remainder of the tournament.
New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra shattered Kane Williamson’s elite record with a splendid century on his Champions Trophy debut against Bangladesh on Monday. Rachin missed New Zealand’s opener against Pakistan due to an injury. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
