Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai
India required six wickets in the final session to secure victory in the first Test against New Zealand at Kanpur. On a sluggish surface tailor-made for spin, the trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel would have fancied their chances of running through the New Zealand lineup. However, amidst the chaos, a little-known debutant, Rachin Ravindra—a spin-bowling all-rounder—displayed remarkable composure.
Batting at No. 8, he withstood relentless pressure, facing 15.1 overs to help New Zealand salvage a hard-fought draw. His judgment of length and nimble footwork proved that he belonged on the biggest stage. Facing India’s world-class spinners in his first-ever Test innings was no easy feat, but he met the challenge head-on and emerged with his reputation enhanced.
Two years later, he returned to India, this time for the World Cup. But he was no longer the lower middle-order batter who played the role of a survivor. Now, he was an opener, and in the tournament’s curtain-raiser against England, he lit up Ahmedabad with a sublime century. It was his first ODI hundred, and it came in the first match of the World Cup against the defending champions. He went on to score two more centuries in the tournament, firmly establishing himself as one of its breakout stars.
After missing two games due to concussion, he made a remarkable return against Bangladesh in his team’s first game of the Champions Trophy, stroking a graceful 112 from 105 balls. The ability to come back from a setback and deliver a performance of such class spoke volumes about his temperament and hunger for runs.
Though he fell cheaply against India in Dubai, he more than made up for it in the semi-final against South Africa. Facing a fierce bowling attack in a high-pressure knockout game, Ravindra combined the serenity of a monk with the aggression of a warrior to craft a magnificent century. His innings was not about brute force but about impeccable timing, fluid footwork, and unwavering self-belief. South Africa threw everything at him—bouncers, yorkers, and slower balls—but he adapted seamlessly, using the crease wisely and picking the right moments to attack.
His gameplay has impressed the Australian great Matthew Hayden: “He’s a very front-foot player but can also rock back and use his height to his advantage. He plays square of the wicket effectively and has a strong sweep shot and a commanding stroke down the ground. He has the full package when it comes to strike rotation and scoring ability—he’s a player for the ages.”
A hallmark of his batting is his still head, which allows him to access both sides of the wicket with ease. His supple wrists enable him to manipulate the field masterfully, finding gaps where none seem to exist. He caresses the ball past fielders with the precision of a surgeon and, when the moment calls for it, sends it soaring over the ropes with effortless power.
Beyond his stroke-making ability, he possesses the mindset of a true competitor as he wants to test himself in all conditions and against all opposition. “The ability to challenge myself in different environments against different teams has been pretty special,” Ravindra told RevSportz last year.
His 164-run partnership with Kane Williamson in the semi-final formed the backbone of New Zealand’s innings, setting up an imposing total of 362. South Africa, despite a valiant effort by David Miller, found the target too steep, and the Kiwis secured victory by 50 runs.
Now, the final awaits, and the stage is set for him to leave an even greater mark. Standing in his way is India—a team that knows his game inside out, one that understands both his strengths and weaknesses. But if there is one thing that defines Ravindra, it is his love for the big occasion. He does not shrink under pressure; he thrives on it.
Reflecting on the big-ticket final, he said, “That is the thing about tournament cricket, it is always about what is next. For us, it is important we soak in the moment today and celebrate as a team. There were some beautiful performances today. We will reflect on today and relax a little tonight, and then once we get to Dubai, we will switch on.”
The final in Dubai will be a clash of titans. New Zealand, fueled by their semi-final win, will turn to their young star to rise once again and lead them to their second Champions Trophy title. If history is anything to go by, Ravindra is more than ready to embrace the challenge.