'He was very happy, very proud' - Rachin Ravindra talks about his father's reaction post his heroics in ODI World Cup 2023

The breakout star of New Zealand's 2023 World Cup, Rachin Ravindra shared that his father was immensely proud of his outstanding performance in the tournament. The left-handed batsman emphasized the joy of having his family and friends witness his international-level play, considering it the best experience.

The star left-hand batter showed remarkable runs with the bat including finishing as the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 578 runs in 10 innings with an impressive average of 64.22. His performances were highlighted by three centuries, showcasing his ability to rotate the strike and hit boundaries with ease. With this herculean effort, he certainly left a mark on everyone and somewhere down the life assured the New Zealand fans that their cricketing future is in safe hands.

In response to the question about meeting his family in India, the 24-year-old expressed that it felt like being at home in a foreign land. He even said that his dad tends to remain quite composed. He doesn't reveal much. On the other hand, his mom was thrilled. The love and support from everyone were impeccable. The elegant left-hand batter also said that his extensive friend circle followed every game, discussing it in our group chat, which was enjoyable.

"Like everyone close to me, he was very happy, very proud. Dad seems to keep it very level. He keeps his cards close to his chest. Mum was very happy. You can feel the love and support from everyone. My big friend group watched every game. They talked about it in the group chat, which was cool. I would read it at the end of the game. I got to catch up with both sides of my family. My grandparents on my mom's side, my uncle and aunty. It was nice to connect with them after a little while. It was a little feeling of home in a different country. I get to see them when I do go to India,” Rachin said.

There are no guarantees in life and cricket: Rachin Ravindra

Ahead of the semi-final clash against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Rachin Ravindra visited his grandparents in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, his performance didn't meet expectations, resulting in a 70-run loss for the Kiwis. Looking ahead to the IPL 2024 auction, Rachin Ravindra emphasized his focus on the present and expressed gratitude for every opportunity to represent New Zealand.

"Whether it is noise or what is being reported, I think what's important, what matters right now is what series you have in front of you. There's so much time to the IPL. There's no guarantee that I will get picked up [in the auction]. There are no guarantees in life and cricket. I am just focused on what's in front of me: the Bangladesh Test series. You stay in the present, you savour those moments. Every moment I get to play for New Zealand, I am very, very grateful,” the all-rounder added.