When you think about the ODI World Cup 2023, Rachin Ravindra was perhaps the least likely player to make an impact in a way that would see him surpass records set by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Babar Azam.
Incredible as it is, Ravindra wasn’t in the initial plans for the World Cup, but injuries to Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell paved his way to the national side, where he was expected to provide batting support and an additional spin option.
Although he managed to take only one wicket in the tournament, dismissing Harry Brook, he proved to be a revelation with the bat. Ravindra had previously represented New Zealand in two U-19 World Cups before transitioning to international cricket.
Before the ODI World Cup 2023, Ravindra had played only 12 ODIs and was just 23 years old. Nonetheless, he made an impressive mark by scoring 578 runs during the tournament, setting a world record for the most runs by a batter in their first World Cup.
Rachin was among the top scorers of the ODI World Cup 2023, smashing centuries against former champions England, eventual champions Australia, and Pakistan.
“The crowd chanting my name is something I will never take for granted. I dreamt of it as a child. Six to 12 months ago, I was not even in the frame, but the stars have aligned,” Rachin Ravindra said after delivering a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, where his grandparents continue to reside.
Born in Wellington on November 18, 1999, Rachin’s father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, originally from India, was a cricket fanatic who played club cricket even after moving to New Zealand in 1997.
Rachin believed he was named after his father’s favorite cricketers—Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid (“Ra” from Rahul and “chin” from Sachin). However, the name was a coincidence.
“When Rachin was born, my wife suggested the name, and we didn’t spend a lot of time discussing it,” Ravi Krishnamurthy told The Print. “The name sounded good, was easy to spell, and was short, so we decided to go with it. It was only years later that we realized the name was a mix of Rahul and Sachin’s names. He wasn’t named with the intention of making our child a cricketer or anything of the sort.”
Thanks to his father, Ravindra began playing cricket, often joining his dad in Bengaluru for club matches.
“I think I am lucky enough to have come here (India) often, especially during my teenage years. It was almost like a club tour, playing games on practice pitches. I think it has helped me a lot,” Rachin said when asked about what contributed to his success in Indian conditions during the World Cup.
Nevertheless, Rachin’s path wasn’t easy. After representing New Zealand in two U-19 World Cups, he made his Test debut against India in 2021. While he didn’t make an immediate impact, he did play a match-saving knock, scoring 18 not out off 91 balls.
He was also selected for the Bangladesh series in early January 2022 but struggled to make a significant contribution.
During the World Cup, Rachin finally received the limelight he deserved, although he had shown glimpses of his talent in the lead-up to the tournament.
Having established himself in white-ball cricket, Ravindra has also made strides in red-ball cricket. In a recent Test series against Sri Lanka, he scored a gritty 92 in the first Test, demonstrating that the 24-year-old is trying to find his footing in the longest format of the game as well.
As Ravindra embarks on his next assignment in his second hometown of India, he will aim to deliver standout performances against the formidable Indian team.
