NZ star sets world on fire with blazing bat
Blistering Black Caps batter Ravindra sets World Cup record wielding willow
Rachin Ravindra’s debut Cricket World Cup has launched the young allrounder into stardom. His 42 against Sri Lanka yesterday brought his tournament total to 565 and surpassed the record for most runs in a maiden ODI World Cup.
Ravindra bettered the record set by Jonny Bairstow in 2019 and topped the run-scorer tally overnight, with most teams still to play their last round-robin game.
Ravindra achieved the feat in Bengaluru, the birthplace of his father, so it is perhaps unsurprising how at home the 23-year-old has appeared during this tournament.
The Upper Hutt product is averaging 70.62; the next best ahead of the overnight game were South Africa’s Quinton de Kock on 550 runs at 68.75 and India’s Virat Kohli on 543 at 108.60.
Add in Ravindra’s five wickets — including two in the five-wicket win over Sri Lanka — and he boasts one of the most impressive debut tournaments in World Cup history.
Finishing the round-robin with a five win-four loss record, the Black Caps have almost certainly qualified for a semifinal against India on Wednesday night.
The only way New Zealand could be dislodged from fourth place was if Afghanistan thrashed South Africa by at least 438 runs overnight, or if Pakistan hammer England by at least
287 runs tonight.
So who would be the contenders from New Zealand or India to make a difference in a likely semifinal?
In New Zealand’s round-robin match against India, Ravindra scored
75 as the Kiwis came as close as anyone at this tournament to beating the hosts. Couple that with his recordsetting form and ability to take wickets, and the 23-year-old shapes as a potential match winner.
Indian conditions favour spin bowling and Mitchell Santner has taken full advantage at this World Cup. His 16 wickets at an average of
24.87 while conceding just 4.81 runs an over have him fifth in the tournament bowler rankings.
Santner’s 2-22 off his 10 overs against Sri Lanka saw him continue his strong form with the ball, and spinners who are both economical and threatening can turn a match.
Kane Williamson’s tournament has been beset by injury, restricting him to just three games, but nobody would be surprised if the world-class No 3 produced a big innings or a pivotal piece of fielding in a semifinal.
Kyle Jamieson was brought in to the New Zealand side as injury cover for Matt Henry. While it appears Lockie Ferguson is preferred as a quick bowling option, Jamieson dismissed Indian captain Kohli twice in the World Test Championship final and played with him in the Indian Premier League.
But this tournament is shaping as perhaps the defining performance of Kohli’s already glittering career. If India are to beat the Black Caps and win the tournament, he will be expected to feature prominently.
Records are being broken off, leg and middle at this World Cup, and that includes Mohammed Shami becoming India’s all-time ODI World Cup wicket-taker.
Having initially started the tournament as injury cover, he replaced Hardik Pandya and has taken 16 wickets in four matches at a ridiculous average of just seven.
Add power hitter Rohit Sharma, opening quick Jasprit Bumrah and the game’s best all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja, and this Indian side boast talent that will take some beating at Wankhede Stadium next week.