Ravindra named ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year

New Zealand youngster Rachin Ravindra has capped off an amazing 12 months by being named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2023.

Ravindra beat South Africa quick Gerald Coetzee, Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka and India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal for the prized award on the back of an amazing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India where he amassed a whopping 578 runs.

Ravindra was thrilled to be recognised by the ICC and said he has enjoyed plying his trade in many different countries during the early stages of his playing career.

“It’s obviously a very special feeling,” Ravindra said when accepting the award. “Whenever you get recognised by the ICC for something it is always special.

“Reflecting back it has been a pretty whirlwind last year and having the opportunity to play so much cricket in so many different environments has been very special.”

New Zealand was tested in 2023 World Cup but the Black Caps once again showed their significance with Rachin Ravindra hitting his stride on the biggest stage.

While representing his country in the other two formats before 2023, it was the ODI format, where he debuted in March, that he has shown his capabilities.

He showed glimpses early with a knock of 49 against Sri Lanka to begin, also chiming in with the ball, taking consecutive three-wicket hauls against Pakistan and England.

A fifty against England at Lord’s followed, though it was the World Cup where Ravindra flourished.  The left-hander showed class and mental nous beyond his years in a knock of 123* (96), throwing down New Zealand’s World Cup challenge.

Ravindra continued to show his class as a knock of 51 against the Dutch followed, before another half-century against India in Dharamsala.

Ravindra ramped up at the backend, making 116 in a spirited chase against Australia at the same venue, before another century against Pakistan in Bengaluru.

Ravindra’s 578 runs was the highest tally for a New Zealand player at the tournament, with only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock bettering him.