Rachin Ravindra has developed into one of world cricket’s most exciting young talents, a player whose journey from a cricket-obsessed kid in Wellington to an international superstar is nothing short of inspirational.
Early Days: A Cricketing Obsession
Rachin Ravindra, raised in Lower Hutt, Wellington, grew up around cricket. His father, Ravi Krishnamurthy, played club cricket locally and made sure that cricket found its way into every corner of their lives… whether they were watching it on television, listening to it on the radio, playing it on YouTube, or playing it on the PlayStation.
The indoor net was Rachin’s training ground; he and friends reenacted classic cricket matches using cones, pads, and imagination. He remembers replaying Sachin Tendulkar’s Desert Storm innings in Sharjah and trying to match the Indian legend’s unbeaten 106.
“That was the most fun I’ve ever had training,” says Ravindra in retrospect.
Built on Imitation: Learning from Legends
Rachin’s batting was born out of imitation. He studied highlights of cricketing greats-Kumar Sangakkara’s cover drives, Ricky Ponting’s pulls, Brian Lara’s cuts, and Matthew Hayden’s pick-ups-before practicing each shot repeatedly in the nets.
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Even Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic straight drive became a part of his repertoire. “That little punchy thing he did I tried that heaps,” he laughs.
This discipline started early. From age seven, Ravindra followed a strict training calendar early morning net sessions before school, and another round after. His work ethic soon stood out.
“He might not be the most naturally gifted player,” recalls school captain Troy Johnson, “but he works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
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From Prodigy to Professional
Rachin Ravindra was marked as a prodigy almost from the start. At just 13, he debuted for his school’s first XI. By 15, he became their leading wicket-taker, and at 16, he was already part of New Zealand’s Under-19 setup.
His father remembers: “I tried to get my daughter into cricket and she didn’t. With Rachin, I didn’t even have to try – he just did.”
However, being labelled a prodigy came with pressure. “From a young age, you get tagged as something,” says Ravindra. “But for me, it’s always been about why I play because I love it.”
The Struggles: Early Setbacks and Lessons Learned
Rachin’s maiden international assignment did not exactly have the fairy-tale beginning that he might have wished for: in six T20Is and three Tests, he averaged less than 20.
He reflects honestly:
“You get an opportunity at a young age, and you think it’s your big moment. But when it doesn’t work out, you realize — wow, maybe I wasn’t ready.”
Eighteen months on the sidelines became his turning point. Returning to domestic cricket, he regained the joy about the process rather than the outcome.
“Failure teaches you so much,” he says. “If you don’t embrace it, it eats you up.”
World Cup Breakthrough: The Making of a Star
Opportunity knocked again during the 2023 ICC World Cup, and this time, Rachin Ravindra answered with authority. He was not initially included in New Zealand’s squad but was a late inclusion after an injury to Michael Bracewell.
When Lockie Ferguson pulled out before the opener against England, Ravindra stepped in — and the rest is history.
His unbeaten 123 against England announced him to the world, followed by another century against Australia in Dharamsala, where Indian fans chanted, “Rachin! Rachin!”
“It was surreal,” he recalls. “Hearing those chants… it’s the stuff you dream of as a kid.”
Dominance in Asia: A Home Away from Home
Rachin Ravindra’s relationship with the subcontinent runs deep – both his parents are from Bengaluru in India, where he scored a Test century in 2024 on New Zealand’s famous whitewash tour of India.
Six of his eight international centuries have come in India or Pakistan, including a prolific Champions Trophy 2025 campaign which took New Zealand to the final.
“Those moments in Test cricket, especially in India, are my most special,” says Ravindra.
The Making of a Generational Talent
Today, cricketing greats like Michael Atherton, Stuart Broad, and Jos Buttler have called Rachin Ravindra a “generational player.” For the 25-year-old, such praise feels surreal.
“It’s one of those pinch-yourself moments,” he admits. “To hear that from players I’ve looked up to – it’s amazing.”
Yet despite fame and fortune, Ravindra remains down-to-earth. Teammates and coaches also describe him as “one of the nicest guys in cricket”-humble and approachable, yet fiercely competitive.
Family, Roots, and the Hutt Hawks Legacy
Much of Rachin’s journey is intertwined with his father’s local cricket initiative, the Hutt Hawks, a club that gave extra match experience to Wellington’s young cricketers and even organized tours to India.
“It obviously helped me, but it’s helped so many others too,” says Ravindra proudly.
Today, the Hutt Hawks have a number of teams across age groups and their alumni, including Tom Blundell, are still shaping New Zealand cricket.
From Fan to Icon
Still an international star but carrying the enthusiasm of a fan, Rachin Ravindra speaks about learning from Kane Williamson, sharing dressing rooms with legends like Jos Buttler, and being sledged by Virat Kohli in his debut series.
And soon, he’ll feature in a new PlayStation cricket game a full-circle moment for the boy who grew up watching his dad play Cricket ‘04.
“This time, I’ll actually be in the game,” he grins. “Sometimes the presents choose themselves.”
The Secret to Rachin Ravindra’s Success So, what’s the formula behind Rachin Ravindra’s remarkable journey? He says, the answer is simple. “There’s no secret. You just look at players like Kohli, Smith, Root, or Kane they just hit a lot of balls. It’s got to be purposeful.
That’s what I pride myself on.” Driven by love for the game, supported by family, and powered by relentless effort, Rachin Ravindra stands as the new face of New Zealand cricket-a fan who made it to the top and never forgot where he started.
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