For New Zealand, the emergence of Ravindra as a formidable top-order batter has been a revelation
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson both made centuries as New Zealand set a big total of 362/6 against South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday for a place in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
With New Zealand already qualified for the semi-finals, selectors have the luxury of resting players for the final group match against India in Dubai on Sunday.
Rachin Ravindra marked his ICC Champions Trophy debut with a century in New Zealand's win over Bangladesh on Monday but it was the 25-year-old's ability to soak up the pressure while batting in an unfamiliar position that impressed teammate Tom Latham.
Ravindra hit 112 as New Zealand marched into the semis, taking India along with them, after his team's win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.
Blood poured from the head of a dazed Ravindra while the crowd looked on with concern.
"It's massive. A lot of my family were watching the match, probably at the stadium and at home on TV," Ravindra said.
The hosts were 231-3 at stumps and still trailed the Black Caps by 125 runs after Glenn Phillips got Virat Kohli caught behind for 70 on the last ball of the day in Bengaluru.
The Black Caps begin the three Test match series on Wednesday, but the Wellington-born Ravindra -- who called himself "a Kiwi all the way through" -- said facing India will be an emotional moment.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra did not exactly hit the ground running on his international breakout but went on to become one of the standout performers in his debut World Cup, setting records in his own way. The 24-year-old had a quiet tour of Bangladesh, not getting a game in the Test series but he has been keeping a keen eye on things. As he spoke with Abdullah Al Mehdi of The Daily Star after the recently concluded second Test, he discussed the Kiwi side's atmosphere, a terrific maiden World Cup, the Mirpur wicket, and more.
Rachin Ravindra may still be basking on having taken the World Cup by storm, but the New Zealand all-rounder has the wind in his sails to put his red-ball career back on track against hosts Bangladesh, the same opponents who derailed it.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra said that the Kiwi spin attack selected for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh is a strong one and that he would want to complement the attack with his own expertise.
Tournament hosts India head into the knockout match having won all nine of their group game, with star man Virat Kohli the event's leading batsman with 594 runs and captain Rohit Sharma not far behind on 503.
"I am grateful for the support, especially playing in Bangalore. The crowd chanting my name is something I will never take for granted."
Rachin Ravindra cracked his third century of the World Cup while a fit-again Kane Williamson made up for lost time with 95 as New Zealand posted a commanding 401-6 from 50 overs in their high-stakes World Cup match against Pakistan on Saturday.
Having been set a massive 389 to win, the Black Caps were agonisingly close to pulling off the second highest one-day international chase in history.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra hailed the "beauty of cricket" on Saturday despite a heartbreaking five-run defeat by Australia in the World Cup.
Five-time champions Australia edged out gallant New Zealand by just five runs in a high-scoring World Cup thriller on Saturday.
Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell hit back in an attacking stand after New Zealand lost their openers early against fellow unbeaten India in Sunday's top-of-the-table World Cup clash.
