Champions Trophy: Santner Commends Ravindra's Return to Form
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Synopsis
Mitchell Santner applauds Rachin Ravindra's remarkable unbeaten 112 against Bangladesh, asserting there were no traces of rust after his return from injury. Ravindra's performance, alongside Michael Bracewell's stellar bowling, propelled New Zealand into the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Key Takeaways
- Rachin Ravindra scored an unbeaten 112 against Bangladesh.
- He returned from injury without showing signs of rust.
- New Zealand secured their spot in the semifinals.
- Michael Bracewell had a remarkable bowling performance.
- The match showcased New Zealand's resilience in challenging circumstances.
Rawalpindi (Pakistan), Feb 24 (NationPress) New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner praised Rachin Ravindra for his outstanding match-winning performance, scoring an unbeaten 112 against Bangladesh. The skipper noted he observed no signs of rust in the talented batter, who made his comeback to the team after sustaining a head injury in the Tri-Nation ODI Series against Pakistan.
At only 25 years of age, Ravindra has surpassed all other male players from New Zealand by scoring more centuries at ICC ODI events (4). Santner remarked that while Ravindra might not have been as fluid as he usually is, he indeed has a knack for ICC events.
“He’s doing Rachin things, I guess. He loves ICC events. It seemed like he never left the game. He wasn’t as fluid as he’d have liked, but when he gets going, he’s tough to stop. His partnerships were impressive too,” Santner stated during the post-match presentation.
As New Zealand faced early challenges in their chase, losing Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Devon Conway, Ravindra partnered with Latham to build a crucial 129-run stand.
The pair took command of the innings, with Ravindra delivering a graceful performance characterized by well-placed boundaries and a six. His 112 runs came off 95 balls, including 12 fours and a six, demonstrating his skill and composure against the Bangladeshi bowling attack.
Santner also commended Michael Bracewell, who was awarded player of the match for his exceptional four-wicket haul, which helped limit Bangladesh to 236/9 in the first innings.
Bracewell's impressive figures of 4-26, including 43 dot balls, are the best ever recorded by a New Zealand spinner in the tournament's history.
“It feels great to qualify. We knew Bangladesh would pose a challenge. The way we regained control with the ball was remarkable. It's tough to take middle-overs wickets in ODIs, and Bracewell was phenomenal. He is a quality bowler now; his ability to adjust his pace on these pitches is remarkable,” Santner added.
With this victory, both New Zealand and India have secured their spots in the semifinals from Group A, set to compete for the top position on March 2. The host nation, Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, has been eliminated from the tournament.
