Cricket World Cup 2023: Indian origin Rachin Ravindra helps New Zealand to win against England; Unique record created

In the inaugural match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the formidable Kiwi left-handed pair, comprising Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, unleashed a relentless assault on the English bowling attack. They achieved a remarkable feat by successfully chasing down a target of 283 runs with an astonishing nine wickets in hand and a whopping 82 balls to spare.

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Ahmedabad: The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a sensational display of cricket as New Zealand launched their campaign in the mega event with a remarkable 9-wicket victory over England. The star of the show was Rachin Ravindra, a young talent of Indian origin, who played a splendid inning that will be remembered for years to come. In today’s match, the commentary box echoed with excitement as Rachin Ravindra effortlessly dispatched Moeen Ali’s delivery over midwicket for a towering six. It was a moment that encapsulated the brilliance and audacity of his batting skills.

Rachin Ravindra’s remarkable century in just 82 balls during the England vs. New Zealand game marked a historic achievement. Notably, he became the fastest centurion for New Zealand in the ODI World Cup, setting a new standard of excellence. New Zealand’s performance against England was nothing short of extraordinary. The team secured victory with a margin of 9 wickets, showcasing their prowess on the field. Rachin Ravindra played a pivotal role in this triumph, remaining unbeaten at 123 runs.

The standout feature of the match was the phenomenal partnership of 273 runs for the second wicket between Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. This partnership stands as a record for the highest partnership by any New Zealand batsmen in the One-Day International (ODI) World Cup. Devon Conway’s innings of 152 runs, comprising 19 fours and 3 sixes, was nothing short of spectacular. Rachin Ravindra, on the other hand, faced 96 balls, smashing 11 fours and 5 sixes during his unbeaten century innings.

What makes Rachin Ravindra’s story even more intriguing is his Indian heritage. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Rachin’s roots trace back to India. His father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, was a software architect in Bangalore, India, who also indulged in club cricket. The family’s journey took them from Bangalore to New Zealand, where Rachin Ravindra began honing his cricketing skills. Notably, Rachin’s name is a testament to his father’s admiration for Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. By combining the ‘Ra’ from Rahul and ‘Chin’ from Sachin, they christened him Rachin Ravindra.

In his cricketing journey, Rachin Ravindra started with the New Zealand Under-19 team and swiftly progressed to represent the Test team, making his debut against India. His exceptional century in the ODI World Cup is a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport.

Rachin Ravindra’s blazing century has not only etched his name in the annals of cricket history but has also made him the third youngest batsman globally to achieve this milestone in his debut ODI World Cup match. His extraordinary performance has left cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipating his future contributions to the game.

As Rachin Ravindra continues to make waves on the cricketing stage, his journey from Bangalore to Wellington serves as a testament to the universal appeal and power of cricket to transcend borders and bring people together in the spirit of competition and camaraderie.

Here is a list of the youngest batsmen to score a century in their debut ODI World Cup match:

  • Virat Kohli – 22 years and 106 days
  • Andy Flower – 23 years and 301 days
  • Rachin Ravindra – 23 years and 321 days*

New Zealand’s journey in the 2023 World Cup got off to a challenging start on a somewhat tricky pitch. In just the second over, Will Young was dismissed without scoring, giving England an early reason to celebrate. However, this joy turned out to be short-lived for England as the opening duo of Devon Conway (152 not out off 121 balls, including 19 fours and 3 sixes) and Rachin Ravindra (123 not out off 96 balls, featuring 11 fours and 5 sixes) formed an unbreakable partnership that shielded the team from further setbacks. Their performance was not only comprehensive but also awe-inspiring, as they chased down the target with just one wicket down, completing the mission in a mere 36.2 overs.

Meanwhile, in the opening clash of the 2023 World Cup held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium between England and New Zealand, England set a challenging target of 283 runs for New Zealand while batting first. England’s opening pair, consisting of David Malan (14) and Jonny Bairstow (33), aimed to establish an aggressive start. However, the Kiwi bowlers’ excellent performance on the pitch, combined with astute captaincy, curtailed the freedom of the English batsmen. The spinners and part-time spinners from New Zealand bowled exceptionally well in tandem, causing England’s batsmen to falter after promising starts.

Notably, Joe Root (77) played a magnificent innings at one point, but he also departed when it mattered the most. Captain Buttler contributed a respectable 43 runs, but his stay at the crease was relatively short. Consequently, England could only manage to amass a total of 282 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Matt Henry, the pace sensation, claimed three crucial wickets, while Glenn Phillips and Santner took two wickets each. Additionally, Ravindra and Bolt both made significant contributions with one wicket apiece.

Before the encounter, New Zealand had won the toss and elected to field first against England. It is noteworthy that Ben Stokes was unavailable for the first match due to an injury, adding an element of challenge for the English side.

Highlights of Today’s Epic Clash

The match started with a bang as Sam Curran from England made an early breakthrough, dismissing Will Young.

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, the dynamic duo, began steadily, carefully assessing their opposition.

In a stunning display of power-hitting, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway unleashed a relentless onslaught against the English bowlers.

Both batsmen reached their respective half-centuries, laying the foundation for an incredible partnership that surpassed the 100-run mark.

Devon Conway etched his name in the annals of World Cup history by smashing a century on his debut in the tournament.

Rachin Ravindra then joined the record-breaking party, becoming the youngest and quickest centurion for New Zealand in ICC World Cup history.

The destructive partnership between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra ultimately propelled New Zealand to a resounding 9-wicket victory over England.

New Zealand faced an early hiccup but bounced back in style as Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway showcased their batting prowess with remarkable centuries.

The epic 273-run partnership between these two stalwarts turned the tide in New Zealand’s favor, as they chased down the formidable target of 283 in just 36.2 overs.

Devon Conway remained unbeaten at an astonishing 152 runs off 121 balls, while Rachin Ravindra played a stellar innings, finishing at 123* off 96 balls.

In the first innings, England struggled to establish partnerships, with wickets falling at crucial junctures.

Joe Root’s valiant effort of 77 runs from 86 balls provided some stability for England, but they could only manage to set a target of 282/9 in their allotted 50 overs.

In a thrilling World Cup opener, New Zealand showcased their dominance with an emphatic victory over the defending champions, England. The breathtaking centuries by Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway will be remembered as a defining moment in this tournament, setting the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating cricket extravaganza.

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