In a stellar display of talent, Rachin Ravindra made a significant mark in the 2023 World Cup during New Zealand’s final group stage match against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. Hailing as the ‘local boy’ due to his father’s Bengaluru roots, Ravindra received tremendous crowd support in the city. The poetic moment unfolded as he not only basked in the cheers but also carved his name into the World Cup record books by setting a new milestone for the most runs on a World Cup debut.
Surpassing England’s Jonny Bairstow, who held the previous record with 532 runs in his inaugural World Cup appearance in 2019, Ravindra showcased his prowess with a 42-run innings against Sri Lanka. Not only did he claim the top spot in the list of highest run-getters in the ongoing tournament, surpassing Quinton de Kock and Virat Kohli, but he also asserted his consistency with a spectacular start to the competition. Ravindra opened with a century against defending champions England, followed by two more centuries against Australia and Pakistan, along with two half-centuries.
Check out the ranking of the top five players with the most runs in their debut World Cups:
1. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand, 2023) – 565*
2. Jonny Bairstow (England, 2019) – 532
3. Babar Azam (Pakistan, 2019) – 474
4. Ben Stokes (England, 2019) – 465
5. Rahul Dravid (India, 1999) – 461
The young sensation’s ability to deliver in pressure situations positions him as a crucial asset for the New Zealand team as they aim for a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup. In the match against Sri Lanka, New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Trent Boult with three wickets, displayed a solid performance, restricting the struggling islanders to just 171. Kusal Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka with 51, while a strong 43-run stand between Maheesh Theekshana (38*) and Dilshan Madushanka (19) helped them post a respectable score. As the tournament progresses, Ravindra’s exceptional form adds a dynamic edge to New Zealand’s campaign.
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