Who is Rachin Ravindra? New Zealand's Batting All-Rounder Sets Record with Five ICC ODI Centuries; Check Stats Here

Rachin Ravindra is a 24-year-old batting all-rounder from New Zealand. Born to Indian parents with roots in Bengaluru, he has rapidly risen in international cricket. 

In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Ravindra showcased his talent by scoring four centuries, amassing 578 runs, and earning the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. In February 2024, during a Test match against South Africa, he scored his maiden double-century, making 240 runs.

In the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa, Ravindra continued his stellar form. He scored 108 runs off 101 balls, forming a crucial 160-run partnership with Kane Williamson. 

This performance made him the first New Zealander to hit two centuries in a single Champions Trophy edition and marked his fifth century in ICC ODI tournaments.

Who is Rachin Ravindra? Early Life and Cricket Journey

Rachin Ravindra was born on November 18, 1999, in Wellington, New Zealand, to Indian parents from Bangalore. His father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, is a software architect and former club-level cricketer in Bangalore who moved to New Zealand in 1997. 

Rachin's name is a portmanteau of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, though his father considers this a coincidence. 

His grandfather, Balakrishna Adiga, is a well-known educationist in India. Rachin began playing cricket at the age of five in Wellington and regularly travelled to Bangalore to play club cricket during his early years.

Education

Rachin Ravindra pursued his education in New Zealand while balancing his cricketing ambitions.

Cricket Career

Domestic Career: Rachin debuted in the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup at just 16 years old, becoming the youngest Kiwi player to represent New Zealand at this level. He also played in the 2018 U-19 World Cup and was named one of the tournament's rising stars by the ICC.

In 2018, he signed a contract with Wellington and made his List A debut for New Zealand A against Pakistan A. He scored his maiden List A century in November 2019 and achieved his first-class century in March 2020.

He continued to excel domestically and secured a contract with Wellington for the 2020–21 season. His performances earned him opportunities with the New Zealand A team.

International Career: Rachin made his T20I debut on September 1, 2021, against Bangladesh and his Test debut later that year against India in Kanpur. His gritty 91-ball unbeaten innings helped New Zealand secure a draw.

In March 2023, he debuted in ODIs against Sri Lanka and gained prominence during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. 

Despite initially being selected as a backup player due to injuries to key teammates, he emerged as one of the tournament's standout performers with three centuries, including one on debut against England.

He scored his maiden Test century (240 runs) against South Africa in February 2024 and was named ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2023.

IPL Career: Rachin made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in March 2024 after being bought for INR 1.8 crore. He impressed with quick runs and solid performances.

Personal Life

Rachin Ravindra has strong Indian roots and frequently visited Bangalore during his childhood to play cricket. His father played a pivotal role in nurturing his cricketing talent by coaching him from an early age.

Achievements and Records

• Youngest player to represent New Zealand in an Under-19 World Cup (2016).
• Named ICC Rising Star of the Tournament in the 2018 U-19 World Cup.
• Scored three centuries during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for most World Cup centuries before turning.
• Youngest recipient of New Zealand's Sir Richard Hadlee Medal (2024).

Playing Style

Rachin Ravindra is a left-handed batting all-rounder who also bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin. He models his bowling action after Daniel Vettori and has been praised for his adaptability across formats.

Rachin Ravindra’s Performance in NZ vs SA Semi-Final: A Match-Winning Knock

Rachin Ravindra delivered a match-winning performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5, 2025. Here’s a detailed overview of his impactful innings:

Key Highlights of Rachin Ravindra's Knock

• Century Under Pressure: Opening the innings after New Zealand chose to bat, Ravindra scored a sublime 108 off 101 balls. His innings included 13 boundaries and one six, showcasing his ability to dominate both pace and spin.
• Partnership with Kane Williamson: After the early dismissal of Will Young, Ravindra formed a crucial 164-run partnership with Kane Williamson (102 off 94 balls). This stand laid the foundation for New Zealand's imposing total of 362/6.
• Handling South Africa's Bowling Attack: Ravindra displayed remarkable composure against South Africa’s world-class pace attack, including Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi. He was particularly effective against Jansen, who went wicketless and conceded 79 runs.
• Milestone Achieved: Ravindra reached his century in just 93 balls, further cementing his reputation as a big-match player. This was his second century of the tournament, making him the first New Zealander to score two hundred in a single Champions Trophy edition.
• Impact on Match Outcome: His knock ensured that New Zealand capitalised on batting-friendly conditions. Even after his dismissal in the 34th over, contributions from Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37) and Glenn Phillips (49* off 27) propelled New Zealand to a formidable total.

Records and Legacy

Rachin Ravindra became only the eighth batter in history to score multiple centuries in a single Champions Trophy edition, joining legends like Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle. At just 25 years old, he already holds the record for most ODI hundreds by a New Zealander in ICC tournaments (five).

Records Set and Broken by Rachin Ravindra in ICC ODI Tournaments

Rachin Ravindra’s meteoric rise in international cricket has been punctuated by a series of groundbreaking records in ICC ODI tournaments, cementing his status as one of New Zealand’s most prolific batters.

His performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa, where he scored a match-winning 108 off 101 balls, epitomised his ability to thrive under pressure and rewrite history.

Fastest to Five Centuries in ICC ODI Tournaments

Ravindra eclipsed Shikhar Dhawan’s long-standing record by becoming the fastest batter to score five centuries in ICC ODI tournaments (World Cup and Champions Trophy). 

While Dhawan reached the milestone in 15 innings, Ravindra achieved it in just 13 innings—a testament to his consistency and adaptability. 

His five centuries include three in the 2023 ODI World Cup (123* vs England, 116 vs Australia, 108 vs Pakistan) and two in the 2025 Champions Trophy (112 vs Bangladesh, 108 vs South Africa). 

This feat places him among the elite company, with only Rohit Sharma (8 centuries) and Kumar Sangakkara (7) ahead in the all-time list.

First New Zealander with Multiple Centuries in a Single Champions Trophy Edition

In the 2025 Champions Trophy, Ravindra became the first New Zealand batter to score two centuries in a single edition of the tournament. 

His 112 against Bangladesh and 108 against South Africa in the semi-final propelled him into an exclusive group featuring legends like Chris Gayle (3 centuries in 2006), Sourav Ganguly (2 in 2000), and Shikhar Dhawan (2 in 2013). 

This achievement underscored his ability to deliver in high-stakes matches, with both knocks coming in must-win fixtures for New Zealand.

Most Centuries for New Zealand in ICC ODI Tournaments

Ravindra now holds the record for the most centuries by a New Zealander in ICC ODI tournaments (5), surpassing icons Kane Williamson and Nathan Astle, who each scored three.

His dominance in these events is further highlighted by his strike rate of 98.2 and an average of 64.2 across 13 innings, showcasing his blend of aggression and reliability.

First Player to Score Centuries on ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy Debuts

Ravindra carved a unique niche in history by becoming the first player ever to score centuries on both his ODI World Cup (2023) and Champions Trophy (2025) debuts. 

His unbeaten 123 against England in Ahmedabad announced his arrival on the global stage, while his 112 against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi reinforced his reputation as a big-game performer.

Youngest Recipient of New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee Medal

At 24, Ravindra became the youngest player to receive New Zealand’s highest cricketing honour, the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, in 2024. 

This accolade recognised his 578-run tally in the 2023 World Cup—the most by a New Zealand debutant—and his pivotal role in the team’s semi-final finish.

Second-Fastest to Five ODI Centuries for New Zealand

Ravindra’s five ODI centuries have come in just 28 innings, making him the second-fastest New Zealander to reach the milestone after Devon Conway (22 innings). He surpassed Daryl Mitchell, who took 30 innings, further solidifying his standing as a generational talent.

Key Contributions in Knockout Matches

Ravindra’s 108 in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa was instrumental in New Zealand’s 362/6 total, their highest in a knockout match.

His 164-run partnership with Kane Williamson (102*) dismantled a potent South African attack featuring Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who conceded 79 runs without a wicket. This innings also marked his fifth 50+ score in ICC tournament knockouts, highlighting his clutch mentality.

Legacy and Future Prospects

At 25, Ravindra has already etched his name alongside cricketing greats. His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed—evident from his 13 boundaries and one six in the semi-final—makes him a cornerstone of New Zealand’s batting lineup. 

With 251 runs in the 2025 Champions Trophy, he surpassed Kane Williamson’s 244-run tally from 2017 to set a new benchmark for New Zealand in the tournament.

Rachin Ravindra’s Stats: Runs, Centuries, and Career Milestones

Rachin Ravindra has set several impressive records in international cricket. In ODIs, he is ranked 4th for most hundreds in a series (3) and 14th for most runs in a series (578 runs). 

He also holds the 17th spot for the highest career strike rate (108.90) and is the 34th fastest to reach 1,000 ODI runs (in 26 innings). 

In Test cricket, Ravindra made history with his maiden hundred, scoring 240 runs, the 12th-highest maiden century ever. 

He also holds the 34th spot for the highest eighth-wicket partnership (137 runs). His consistent performances make him one of New Zealand’s rising stars in world cricket.