Rachin Ravindra, a young New Zealand all-rounder of Indian heritage, has received his maiden central contract following his achievements in the past year, including the ODI World Cup, where he scored lots of runs.
Rachin Ravindra, a young all-rounder from India, has secured his maiden central contract as a result of his achievements over the last year, which included a huge run total during the ODI World Cup. The 24-year-old, who finished as the fourth-highest run scorer with 578 runs in his breakout season, is included in the list of 20 cricketers who were offered contracts on Wednesday for the 2024–25 campaign. His prominence was heightened by his success in the One-Day Internationals. This year, he made his debut in the lucrative Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings, having been acquired for a whopping Rs 1.8 crore during the IPL auction.
Awarded the ICC Emerging Player of the Year for 2023 in January, the top-order batter’s ascent was well-received. His receiving of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal in March made him the youngest recipient ever.
With his grandparents still residing in Bengaluru, Ravindra’s hometown, said he felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment upon getting his first government contract.
“Growing up, you’d see those contract lists come out each year and think it would be cool to be on that list one day — and for it to eventuate now is a pinch-myself moment,” he explained to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
“Playing international cricket for the past 12 months has been incredibly cool. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge, and I’m hungry to keep getting better and supporting the Blackcaps. Being a member of this unique community, which includes both players and support staff, has been the most gratifying aspect, he continued.
In addition to Ravindra, the list of 20 players who have been granted contracts by NZC includes three other newcomers: Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, and Jacob Duffy.
“Playing a game you love with your mates for a living is something very special, and I hold it close to my heart,” Ravindra said.
Ravindra has scored 519 runs in seven Tests, including a century, while he has three ODI tons in 25 games.
Sears participated in 11 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for New Zealand in the 2023–24 season, taking 13 wickets at an average of 22, and was partnered with Ravindra at the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
In addition, the pacer traveled as a reserve for the New Zealand team that played in the USA and the West Indies for the recently finished T20 World Cup.
While right-arm quick Duffy, 29, has represented New Zealand in 14 T20Is, 6 ODIs, and most recently, the drawn T20I series against Pakistan in April, pacer O’Rourke, who made his debut in all three formats in the last year, has played three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests.
