Rachin Ravindra fell just two runs of displacing England Ben Duckett for most runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 despite the New Zealand opener registering his second hundred of the tournament in the semifinal in Lahore against South Africa on Wednesday.
Starting the crucial knockout clash against the Proteas on 118 runs, Rachin Ravindra looked calm and composed as he brought up his fifth hundred in ODIs. It was his second century in this competition. The previous hundred came against Bangladesh in the group stages.
In fact, all of Rachin Ravindra’s ODI hundreds came in ICC tournaments. His first three came two years back in India during the World Cup. However, the left-hander edged a Kagiso Rabada delivery to pack his bags for 108 off 101 balls, including 13 fours and a six.
Rachin Ravindra will get another chance to rise to the top provided New Zealand qualify for the final, to be played against India on March 9 in Dubai. Having got out for just six in the last game against India, Rachin Ravindra was on a mission on Wednesday.
He forged a strong opening stand of 48 with Will Young before being joined by Kane Williamson. The duo of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson took the game away from the opposition with a partnership of 164 runs for the second wicket to provide the perfect platform for the later batters to blast away in the final overs.
New Zealand added 112 runs in the final 10 overs after reaching 250 in 40 overs as the Kiwis finished at 362/6 in 50 overs. Daryl Mitchel (49 off 37 balls), Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 27) and Michael Bracewell (16 off 12) provided the fire power in the final overs as South African bowlers wilted on a good batting track.
Kane Williamson batted calmly after early jitters to get to his 15th hundred and his fourth against South Africa. He has now scored hundreds in his last three ODIs against the Proteas.
