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New Zealand’s rising star, Rachin Ravindra, put on a spectacular batting display in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa, smashing a brilliant century to set the stage for a commanding total. The 25-year-old left-hander continued his golden run in ICC tournaments, scoring 108 off 106 balls, guiding the Black Caps to a dominant position in the crucial knockout clash.
Opening the innings with intent, Rachin built a solid foundation, countering the South African pacers with precise stroke play. His knock was a combination of elegant cover drives, well-placed flicks, and audacious aerial shots that kept the scoreboard ticking. Rachin’s ability to shift gears seamlessly put immense pressure on the Proteas’ bowling attack, which struggled to find a breakthrough during his stay at the crease. His 132-run partnership with captain Kane Williamson played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for New Zealand’s big total.
Rachin Ravindra breaks Shikhar Dhawan’s record in style
With his latest century, Rachin also scripted history by becoming the fastest batter to score five centuries in ICC ODI tournaments, breaking the long-standing record held by India’s Shikhar Dhawan. The Kiwi southpaw reached this feat in just 13 innings, surpassing Dhawan’s record of 15 innings.
Ravindra’s five ICC tournament centuries include:
- 2023 ODI World Cup – Against England, Australia, and Pakistan
- 2025 Champions Trophy – Against Bangladesh and South Africa
This remarkable consistency in high-profile events has cemented Ravindra’s reputation as a big-match player. His fearless approach and ability to perform under pressure are reminiscent of some of the game’s greatest players, and at just 25 years of age, he is emerging as the backbone of New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Also Read: Fans go berserk as Rachin Ravindra smashes century against South Africa in Champions Trophy 2025
New Zealand post a massive total of 362/6
Ravindra’s stunning century was well complemented by Williamson, who anchored the innings with a sublime 102 off 94 balls, ensuring New Zealand maintained their dominance throughout the innings. The experienced batter paced his knock beautifully, accelerating at the right moments while keeping the South African bowlers at bay.
Contributions from the middle order further strengthened the Black Caps’ position. Daryl Mitchell played a steady hand with a well-made 49, ensuring no momentum was lost. Glenn Phillips provided a late flourish, remaining unbeaten on 49 off just 26 balls, propelling New Zealand past the 350-run mark. At the end of their 50 overs, New Zealand posted a mammoth 362/6, setting South Africa an uphill task in this high-stakes semi-final.
