In a cricketing spectacle that left fans and pundits alike awestruck, Rachin Ravindra orchestrated a batting symphony at Mount Maunganui, etching his name into the annals of New Zealand cricket history. The left-handed dynamo, dubbed the ‘next superstar,’ notched up his first-ever double century in just his seventh innings during the first Test against South Africa.
Ravindra’s journey to 240 runs unfolded as a saga of sheer brilliance. Starting from an impressive 118* on the first day, he converted the century into a colossal double, showcasing his class with 26 fours and three sixes in a dazzling 366-ball innings.
Breaking Matthew Sinclair’s record, Ravindra now boasts the highest score by a New Zealand batsman for a maiden Test century. The 24-year-old left an indelible mark as only the second Kiwi batsman to achieve a double century against South Africa, following in the footsteps of Stephen Fleming’s 262 in 2006.
Beyond national borders, Ravindra joined an elite list of cricketing maestros like Mahela Jayawardene, Virat Kohli, and Brian Lara, who have notched double centuries against South Africa in this century.
Neil Brand one of South Africa’s 6 debutants bagged 6 wickets including that of Ravindra to avoid further humiliation. You can never understand that surprises the SA cricket board has looking at their controversial history.
In this gripping cricket saga, Ravindra’s masterclass echoes not just as a personal milestone but as a seismic event in New Zealand cricket, solidifying his status as the rising star of the sport.
