Dubai, March 9 (NationPress) New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra finished as the top run-scorer of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy with a total of 263 runs across four innings. Additionally, he contributed with three wickets through his left-arm spin bowling. This impressive performance earned Ravindra the title of Player of the Tournament.

Upon receiving the accolade, Ravindra described the situation as bittersweet, reflecting on New Zealand's hard-fought battle that ultimately ended in a four-wicket loss to India during the final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

“Certainly, it is bittersweet. It was a glorious final. We played a good game of cricket. Congratulations to India. The individual accolades are great, and playing for a team is great. Maybe we get to play on a good wicket. I like playing tournament cricket because you are playing for a goal,” Ravindra stated after the match concluded.

He also expressed his appreciation for those who have supported his journey to becoming the player he is today, emphasizing the camaraderie within the New Zealand team. “Very proud of my past, and I have so many people to thank. It would have been nice to have the icing on the cake with the trophy, but cricket is a cruel game.”

“I always like to bowl. Santner always gives me a bit of banter that I don't bowl much in the nets. All members of the squad have a part to play. There isn't an established player or a newbie. We go about our business and play like a team,” he added.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner also commended Ravindra’s all-round capabilities. “We have seen how he steps up in these tournaments. With the ball as well, he stepped up. He understands the game at such a young age. He's got a massive future. Even today, he went over a run a ball.”

The Black Caps concluded the tournament as runners-up, and Santner, who was captaining New Zealand in an ICC tournament for the first time, noted they fell short of their ideal total by approximately 20-25 runs in the first innings.

“It's been a good tournament. We have been challenged along the way and the way we have grown as a group. We lost to a better side today. Everyone contributed to the tournament and put their hands up at different times. It was good bowling.”

“We lost a couple of wickets after the power-play, and they really got the squeeze on. Credit to their spinners, (for) how they bowled. They are world-class bowlers. We were 20 or 25 under what we were looking for.”

“It has been very enjoyable. Made easy by the group. Different guys stepping up at different times makes it easy. We have had a few challenges, but we have adapted. It has been a great tournament.”

Santner concluded by sharing his thoughts on Glenn Phillips taking that stunning catch to dismiss Shubman Gill. “That man, he keeps doing it. The way Rohit and Gill went about it was great. Rohit going at almost run a ball on that wicket was outstanding. We knew the game could change quickly, and that happened.”