Rachin Ravindra sets unique record in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with historic century
Rachin Ravindra, named after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, etched his name in the record books with a brilliant century during the second semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between New Zealand and South Africa at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Ravindra scored 108 runs off 101 balls and became the only batsman in the world to score his first five ODI centuries in an ICC event. All his five centuries have come in ICC events. He scored three centuries in the 2023 ODI World Cup and then he scored two centuries in the Champions Trophy.
Rachin Ravindra also became the first player to score the fastest five centuries in an ICC ODI event. He broke the world record of India's Shikhar Dhawan. Rachin took only 13 innings to score his 5th century in an ICC event, two less than former India opener Dhawan. Dhawan did this feat in 15 innings. His name also got added to the list of those who scored more than one century in a season of the Champions Trophy. Chris Gayle tops this list with 3 centuries.
Multiple centuries in a single edition of the ICC Champions Trophy
03 – Chris Gayle, 2006
02 – Sourav Ganguly, 2000
02 – Saeed Anwar, 2000
02 – Herschelle Gibbs, 2002
02 – Upul Tharanga, 2006
02 – Shane Watson, 2009
02 – Shikhar Dhawan, 2013
02 – Rachin Ravindra, 2025
5 ODI centuries in the least number of innings for New Zealand
22 – Devon Conway
28 – Rachin Ravindra
30 – Daryl Mitchell
56 – Kane Williamson
64 – Nathan Astle
Along with Rachin, former captain Kane Williamson also scored a brilliant century and took New Zealand's score to 362. After missing the tournament opener against Pakistan due to injury, Rachin scored 112 against Bangladesh in his first match of the Champions Trophy. He got out cheaply for 6 runs in the last group-stage match against India but made a strong comeback in the big semi-final against South Africa. He became the first New Zealand batsman to score multiple centuries in the same Champions Trophy. At the age of 25 years 107 days, Rachin Ravindra became the second youngest New Zealand batsman to reach 5 ODI centuries after Kane Williamson (24 years 165 days).
Rachin Ravindra said after the innings, 'I think it was a partnership. Young and Kane helped me get out of the ups and downs. Sometimes my timing is not so good, but Kane helped me get out of that phase. Many times, the ball stayed for a while and the bowlers also bowled good line and length. Hopefully, the ball will stick to the surface a little more in the light. Kane is a great player; it is fun to watch him bat from the other end.
