New Delhi: The New Zealand cricket team has started their ICC ODI World Cup 2023, on a high after defeating the defending champions, England, by 9 wickets.
The defending champions were completely demolished in the opening match, or what we can say was the rematch from the 2019 World Cup finals.
New Zealand’s Devon Conway (152*) and Rachin Ravindra (123*) added 273 runs unbeaten for the second wicket, to successfully chase down the target of 283 set by the English side, in just 36.2 overs.
The biggest highlight of the match was New Zealand’s 23-year-old, all-rounder from Wellington, Rachin Ravindra.
Rachin came out to bat after New Zealand lost their first wicket pretty early when Will Young was dismissed on his very first ball by Sam Curran, reducing New Zealand to 10 for 1.
He joined the experienced Devon Conway in the middle and quickly took charge of the attack on the English bowling.
He went on to score 123 not out in just 96 deliveries, with 11 boundaries and 5 sixes and was also adjudged the man of the match for his brilliant innings.
Rachin Ravindra what a super star his 100 celebration pic.twitter.com/EersK1p0Qu
— Archer (@poserarcher) October 5, 2023
Rachin, who was born in Wellington to his parents who are originally from Bengaluru, India, got his name by combining the names of two of the absolute legends of cricket, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.
Rachin Ravindra talking the story about his name.
Ra from “Ra”hul Dravid.
chin from Sa”chin” Tendulkar pic.twitter.com/weHi5GKkg9
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 5, 2023
Rachin’s parents were huge fans of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, so they took ‘Ra’ from Rahul and ‘Chin’ from Sachin, and named their son Rachin.
He frequently visited India for cricket tours in his childhood days and still gives credit to those visits for his cricket growth.
Interestingly, the Indian-origin Rachin made his international debut against India itself in November 2021.
