The rise of Rachin Ravindra in ICC tournaments
Rachin Ravindra has formed a special bond with ICC tournaments, consistently delivering outstanding performances. The talented left-handed batsman first gained his widespread recognition in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he was unexpectedly promoted to the top of the order. Since then, he has never looked back, continuing to impress with his skill and composure under pressure.
Historic innings at Gaddafi Stadium
On March 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Ravindra once again showed his batting prowess by scoring his fifth ODI century in an ICC event. This remarkable feat set a new record for a New Zealand batsman. His century and a brilliant performance from Kane Williamson helped New Zealand post the highest ever score in the history of the Champions Trophy. The Black Caps won against South Africa by 50 runs and have sealed their place in the final.
Post-match thoughts
After the match, Ravindra expressed his happiness in a press conference, in which he stressed the importance of contributing to the team’s victory in a high-stakes semi-final.
“It’s always a good feeling to contribute to the team, especially in such a great win,” he said. “South Africa bowled exceptionally well in the beginning, which made it extremely challenging for me to adjust. But building crucial partnerships with Youngie (Will Young) and Kane helped me find my identity.”
A well-planned approach to a mammoth score
Initially, New Zealand had their eyes set on a target of 320-330 runs. However, as Williamson accelerated his innings, the Black Caps felt like they could go further. A late surge from Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell took the team to a strong total of 360 runs.
Ravindra said, “We were thinking of scoring around 300, especially because the pitch was a bit slow and the cutters were catching. But then Kane changed gears and we got the courage to move forward.” Williamson and Ravindra’s important partnership The decisive moment of the innings was the 164-run partnership between Ravindra and Williamson. Their good batting laid a solid foundation for a banging finish in the death overs. Captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the importance of their stand and praised Williamson’s ability in the middle phase. Santner said, “The pitch was a bit difficult at first, but Rachin and Kane made a solid grip, which enabled us to finish strongly. This partnership was important in reaching 360.” New Zealand bowlers chased the target New Zealand bowlers put up a disciplined performance while defending a strong score and stopping South Africa’s batting lineup at the start of the innings. Santner led the attack with an impressive spell of 3-43, taking crucial wickets including those of Temba Bavuma, Rassi van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen. His deliveries, especially the one that bowled van der Dussen, stood out as some of the best in the tournament. Michael Bracewell also played a key role, continuing his stellar form with the ball. Together, the duo ensured South Africa never gained momentum in their chase. “Our aim was to build pressure in the middle overs and take wickets. It was satisfying to see our bowling plans executed so well,” Santner said. South Africa fall short despite strong start South Africa captain Temba Bavuma admitted chasing 362 was always going to be a tough challenge. Despite a promising start with Bavuma and van der Dussen adding 105 for the second wicket, they lost their way in the middle overs. “We were in a strong position at 125/1, but we couldn’t lay the groundwork needed to chase a big target,” Bavuma admitted.
Conclusion
New Zealand sealed their place in the final with a stellar performance in both batting and bowling. Ravindra’s record-breaking century, Williamson’s pace and a superb performance from the bowlers contributed to a stunning win. The Black Caps will gain confidence from this stellar performance as they prepare for the final.
FAQs
- How many centuries have been scored by Rachin Ravindra in ICC tournaments?
Rachin Ravindra has now scored five centuries in ICC tournaments, a record for New Zealand.
- What was New Zealand’s total score in the match against South Africa?
New Zealand scored 360 runs, the highest total in Champions Trophy history.
- How did Kane Williamson impact New Zealand’s innings?
Williamson played a vital role by pacing his innings at the right time, helping New Zealand post a score above expectations.
- Who were the key bowlers for New Zealand in the semi-finals?
Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell performed brilliantly, building pressure and taking crucial wickets.
- Why did South Africa struggle in the chase?
Despite a good start, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals, making it difficult to maintain the momentum while chasing the target.