“Manner in which he is handling Rashid Khan is alluring…”: Ashwin Lauds Ryan Rickelton’s Heroic Against Afghanistan

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off with an electrifying match between South Africa and Afghanistan at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 21. Among the many talking points, South African opener Ryan Rickelton’s phenomenal batting stole the limelight. Indian spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin was among the many who applauded Rickelton’s composure, especially against Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan.

South Africa vs Afghanistan: Match Summary

Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first. Their start was shaky, with Tony de Zorzi departing early for 11 runs. However, a solid partnership between Ryan Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma steadied the innings and laid the foundation for a strong total.

Ryan Rickelton’s Exceptional Knock

Rickelton showed immense maturity as he took charge of South Africa’s batting. His stroke play was exquisite, and his footwork against Afghanistan’s spinners was a treat to watch. He built his innings patiently, rotating the strike while punishing loose deliveries.

One of the biggest challenges any batter faces in white-ball cricket is dealing with Rashid Khan. However, Rickelton handled him with confidence and skill, using his feet well and negating Rashid’s sharp turn.

Ashwin took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Rickelton, saying, “Ryan Rickelton is a fine player, but the manner in which he is handling Rashid Khan is alluring.”

Ryan Rickleton is a fine player but the manner in which he is handling Rashid Khan is alluring👌 #ChampionsTrophy

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 21, 2025

The 129-run stand between Rickelton and Bavuma provided the much-needed stability. Bavuma’s composed 58-run innings complemented Rickelton’s aggressive approach, as the duo rebuilt South Africa’s innings after an early wicket.

Historic Maiden ODI Century for Ryan Rickelton

Rickelton made history by becoming the first South African wicketkeeper-batter to score a century in the Champions Trophy. His knock of 103 off 106 balls included seven boundaries and a six, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Rickelton’s innings ended in an unfortunate manner. After stepping out against Rashid Khan and pushing the ball back, a direct hit at the keeper’s end saw him short of the crease despite a dive. His dismissal in the 36th over was a major setback for South Africa.

Alongside Rickelton, Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen (52), and Aiden Markram (52*) played crucial roles. Their collective efforts helped South Africa post a formidable total.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance

Mohammad Nabi stood out with two wickets, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Noor Ahmad claimed one wicket each. However, they couldn’t prevent South Africa from reaching 315/6.