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ODI world cup 2023 ODI World Cup 2023

'Rachin bhai ghar wapas aa jao' - Fans react as New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra continues to impress with bat, smashes fifty against Netherlands

Kane Williamson's injury forced Rachin Ravindra into the playing XI, but he cemented his place with a magnificent century against England in the tournament opener.

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Mathew K
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Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra

New Zealand are up against the Netherlands in their second match of the 2023 ODI World Cup in Hyderabad on Monday, October 9. After being asked to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Kiwi openers Devon Conway and Will Young made steady starts. The Dutch bowlers responded with a few wickets but New Zealand are setting up the platform for a total of around 320-350. 

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New Zealand needed 19 deliveries to open their account as Aryan Dutt and Ryan Klein stunned with three maiden overs. However, since then Conway and Young gained confidence with successive boundaries. The right-hander took on Aryan in his third over as he conceded 15 runs. In his very next over, the southpaw hit a four and a six to put New Zealand on top. 

Roelof van der Merwe provided a breakthrough for the bowling side with the wicket of Conway in the 13th over. The last-match centurion looked for a big score but had to settle for 32 off 40 balls. The Dutch bowlers hoped to put pressure on the opposition with another wicket, but Young and his new partner Rachin Ravindra did not give them an opportunity.

With Kane Williamson likely to return in the next match, it was crucial for Young to get some runs to cement his place. The 30-year-old did not disappoint himself as he notched up a brilliant half-century in 59 balls. The right-hand left-hand pair continued their impressive batting until Paul van Meekeren got rid of the former. 

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Ravindra played a completely different innings to the one he played against England 

The 70-plus partnership was broken but Ravindra continued his stellar form. Unlike the previous match, the Indian-origin cricketer played an anchoring type of innings against the Netherlands. With the help of three boundaries and a six, the left-hander smashed 51 runs (at a strike rate of 100)  before van der Merwe picked up his second wicket. 

Having played club-level cricket in his hometown Bangalore before settling in New Zealand, Ravindra continues to make huge statements in the ongoing World Cup. Williamson's injury forced him into the playing XI but sealed his place with a magnificent century against England in the tournament opener. The 23-year-old put on an unbeaten 273 partnership with Devon Conway to beat the defending champions in Ahmedabad. 

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Here's how fans reacted to Rachin Ravindra's impressive knock against the Netherlands:

 

New Zealand Netherlands ODI World Cup 2023