Rachin Ravindra is a name that echoes across cricket stadiums worldwide. Born on November 18, 1999, in Wellington, New Zealand, this young cricketer has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most exciting talents in international cricket.
image: Rachin Ravindra
At just 25 years old (as of March 9, 2025), Rachin has already made history with his bat, ball, and calm presence on the field. This article takes you through his incredible journey—from a five-year-old swinging a bat in Wellington to a record-breaking all-rounder shining in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Whether you’re a cricket fan or just curious about this rising star, let’s dive into Rachin Ravindra’s life, career, achievements, and what makes him so special. With small paragraphs, simple words, and a storytelling vibe, this is his story in full detail.
1. Early Life: A Cricket Seed Planted in Wellington:
Rachin Ravindra came into the world on November 18, 1999, in Wellington, New Zealand. His parents, Ravi Krishnamurthy and Deepa Krishnamurthy, had moved from Bangalore, India, to New Zealand in 1997. Ravi, a software architect, wasn’t just a tech guy, he loved cricket and had played at the club level back in Bangalore. That love for the game would soon pass on to his son.
Rachin’s name is a cool twist of fate. It’s said to be a mix of “Ra” from Rahul Dravid and “chin” from Sachin Tendulkar, two Indian cricket legends his dad admired. Though Ravi once called it a coincidence, the name stuck, and it’s almost poetic how Rachin grew up to idolize these players.
At just five years old, Rachin picked up a cricket bat in Wellington. His dad became his first coach, guiding him through early swings and throws. Little did they know, this was the start of something big.
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Read Article2. Growing Up with Cricket: Bangalore Trips and School Days:
Rachin’s connection to India didn’t stop with his parents. Every year, he traveled to Bangalore to play club cricket. These trips sharpened his skills, especially against spin bowling, a talent that would later shine on the world stage. Imagine a young boy, bat in hand, learning the game on dusty Indian pitches before heading back to New Zealand’s green fields.
Back home, Rachin went to Hutt International Boys School in Wellington. He wasn’t just a cricketer there, he was a star in the making. His schoolmates and teachers saw his passion early on. Cricket wasn’t just a game for him; it was a dream taking shape.
His grandfather, Balakrishna Adiga, a famous educationist in India, also played a quiet role in his life. While not directly tied to cricket, having such a wise figure in the family gave Rachin a grounded outlook that shows in his calm nature today.
3. The Young Prodigy: Under-19 World Cups and Big Dreams:
By his teens, Rachin was already turning heads. In 2016, at just 16, he became the youngest cricketer to play for New Zealand’s Under-19 team. That year, he stepped onto the global stage at the ICC Under-19 World Cup. He was raw but fearless, a left-handed batsman who could also bowl left-arm spin.
Two years later, in 2018, he was back for another Under-19 World Cup. This time, he caught even more attention. The International Cricket Council (ICC) named him a “rising star” of the tournament. Scouts and fans started whispering his name. Rachin wasn’t just playing cricket, he was building a future.
Around this time, he also started playing for Wellington, his home team. In June 2018, they gave him his first professional contract for the 2018-19 season. The kid from Wellington was now a pro cricketer, ready to take on the world.
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Read Article4. Domestic Cricket: First Steps to Fame:
Rachin’s domestic career kicked off with a bang. In October 2018, he made his List A debut for New Zealand A against Pakistan A. A few weeks later, he played his first first-class match against the same team. He was still a teenager, but he batted and bowled like a seasoned player.
In November 2019, something special happened. Playing for Wellington against Auckland in the Ford Trophy, Rachin scored his first List A century. A year later, in March 2020, he smashed his first first-class century in the Plunket Shield. These knocks showed he wasn’t just a bowler who could bat, he was a proper all-rounder.
His skills didn’t go unnoticed. In June 2020, Wellington offered him a contract for the 2020-21 season. Then, in November 2020, he got a big chance, playing for New Zealand A against the touring West Indies team. In the first practice match, he scored 112 runs. The cricket world sat up and took notice.
5. International Debut: A Dream Comes True:
Rachin’s hard work paid off in 2021. On September 1, he made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for New Zealand against Bangladesh in Dhaka. At 21, he was living his dream, wearing the black cap and playing for his country.
Two months later, on November 25, 2021, he stepped up again. This time, it was his Test debut against India in Kanpur. It wasn’t an easy start, India had a killer spin attack with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. But Rachin stood tall. In the final innings, he batted for 91 balls with the last wicket, helping New Zealand scrape a draw. Fans called it heroic.
His One Day International (ODI) debut came later, on March 25, 2023, against Sri Lanka in Auckland. By now, Rachin was no longer just a prospect, he was a key part of New Zealand’s plans across all formats.
6. 2023: The World Cup That Changed Everything:
If there’s one year that defines Rachin Ravindra, it’s 2023. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India was his breakout moment. He wasn’t even a sure pick at first, an injury to Michael Bracewell got him into the squad. Then, with captain Kane Williamson sidelined, Rachin was thrown in at No. 3. What happened next was pure magic.
In the opening match against England, he scored 123* off 96 balls, his first ODI century. It was also the fastest World Cup century by a New Zealander (82 balls). He became the fourth Kiwi to score a ton on World Cup debut and, at 23 years and 321 days, the youngest to do it for New Zealand.
But he didn’t stop there. Against Australia, he smashed another century in a thrilling chase of 389, falling just 5 runs short. Then, against Pakistan, he made it three centuries, becoming the first player ever to score three tons on World Cup debut. He broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most centuries before age 24 and ended with 578 runs, the fourth-highest in the tournament.
7. World Cup Records: Highlights from 2023:
Details of what Rachin achieved in the 2023 ODI World Cup:
- New Zealand vs England (October 5, 2023):
- Scored 123* off 96 balls.
- Fastest New Zealand World Cup century (reached 100 in 82 balls).
- Fourth Kiwi to hit a century on World Cup debut.
- New Zealand vs Australia (October 28, 2023):
- Scored 116 off 89 balls.
- Second century in his debut World Cup.
- New Zealand vs Pakistan (November 4, 2023):
- Scored 108 off 94 balls.
- First player to score 3 centuries on World Cup debut.
- Broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most World Cup centuries before age 24.
By the end of the tournament, he had 578 runs, a massive haul that put him on the global map.
8. Test Cricket Glory: A Double Century to Remember:
Rachin wasn’t just a white-ball wonder. In February 2024, during a Test against South Africa at home, he batted at No. 4 and scored 240, his first Test century. It wasn’t just any hundred; it was the highest maiden Test century by a New Zealander. That knock showed he could dominate red-ball cricket too.
Later in 2024, he stunned India again. In Bangalore, he scored a sensational century that helped New Zealand win the Test and, eventually, the series. His ability to handle spin on turning pitches made him a nightmare for bowlers.
9. IPL Adventure: Chennai Super Kings and Beyond:
Rachin’s World Cup fame caught the eye of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In December 2023, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signed him for INR 1.8 crore. He debuted on March 22, 2024, against Royal Challengers Bangalore, smashing 37 off 15 balls, including the first six of CSK’s campaign.
In his next game, he scored 46 off 20 against Gujarat Titans. Though his form dipped later, he ended IPL 2024 with 222 runs in 10 matches, averaging 22.20 with a strike rate of 160.87. For a first-timer, it was a solid start.
He also joined Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2024. Under coach Ricky Ponting, he won the title, another feather in his cap.
10. Champions Trophy 2025: More History in the Making:
Fast forward to 2025, and Rachin was back at it in the ICC Champions Trophy. Named in New Zealand’s squad, he missed the first game against Pakistan due to a facial injury from a tri-series earlier that year. But when he returned, he made history again.
On his Champions Trophy debut against Bangladesh, he scored 112 off 105 balls, the first player to score centuries on debut in both the World Cup and Champions Trophy. In the semifinal against South Africa, he added another ton, his first in an ODI knockout match. New Zealand reached the final, and experts like Ravi Shastri tipped him to trouble India.
11. Playing Style: What Makes Rachin Special?
Rachin is a left-handed batsman who can open or bat in the middle order. His strike rate hovers around 100 in shorter formats, and he’s deadly against spin, thanks to those Bangalore trips. As a left-arm spinner, he’s handy too, picking up wickets when needed.
On the field, he’s calm and composed. Teammate Tim Southee calls him “young but mature.” He loves playing against tough teams like Australia and India, thriving under pressure.
12. Personal Life: Love, Hobbies, and Favorites:
Off the field, Rachin is a regular guy. He’s dating Premila Morar, and the two often share sweet moments on Instagram (@premilamorar, @rachinravindra). He loves golf, pizza, and the color black, simple tastes for a superstar.
His cricket heroes? Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Kane Williamson. No surprise there, his name and style reflect their influence. With a net worth of about $5 million, he’s doing well but stays grounded.
13. Achievements and Awards: A Growing List
Rachin’s trophy cabinet is filling up fast. Here are some highlights:
- Named ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year in 2023.
- Won New Zealand Young Cricketer of the Year in 2016 (posed with Sir Richard Hadlee).
- Youngest NZ Under-19 player in 2016 (age 16).
- First player to score 3 centuries in a debut World Cup (2023).
- Highest maiden Test century by a Kiwi (240 vs South Africa).
14. Career Stats: Numbers That Tell the Story (as of March 5, 2025)
Here’s Rachin’s career breakdown:
- Test:
- Matches: 15.
- Runs scored: 1,057.
- Batting average: 37.75.
- Centuries/Fifties: 2/4.
- Wickets: 10.
- Best bowling: 3/33.
- ODI:
- Matches: 32.
- Runs scored: 1,196.
- Batting average: 44.29.
- Centuries/Fifties: 5/4.
- Wickets: 20.
- Best bowling: 4/60.
- T20I:
- Debut: September 1, 2021 vs Bangladesh.
- Last T20I: January 2, 2025 vs Sri Lanka.
- Specific stats (runs, wickets, etc.): Not fully specified in the input.
- IPL:
- Matches: 10.
- Runs scored: 222.
- Batting average: 22.20.
- Centuries/Fifties: 0/1.
- Bowling stats: Not specified.
15. The Road Ahead: A Bright Future:
At 25, Rachin Ravindra is just getting started. With a New Zealand central contract since July 2024, he’s a mainstay across formats. His multifaceted skills, batting, bowling, and fielding, make him a rare gem. Fans and experts see him as a future leader, maybe even a captain.
From Wellington to the world, Rachin’s journey is inspiring. He’s a kid who chased a dream, broke records, and stayed humble. As he prepares for the 2025 Champions Trophy final against India.
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Rachin Ravindra: The Rising Star of New Zealand Cricket – A Journey from Wellington to World Fame