Rachin Ravindra Edge Past Jasprit Bumrah, Quinton de Kock to Bag ICC Player of the Month for September 2023

New Zealand young gun Rachin Ravindra peeped India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa opener Quinton de Kock to bag the prestigious ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October 2023. The 23-year-old capped off a sensational maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, being the highest scorer of the tournament with over 550 runs.

Ravindra hit an unbeaten 123 against England in the tournament opener and then added another century later in the month when registering an equally impressive knock of 116 against Australia. In total Ravindra amassed 406 runs at an average of 81.20 through New Zealand’s first six games at the World Cup to help put the Kiwis on the brink of a semi-final berth at the tournament.

Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts. 

“I’m very grateful to win this award,” Ravindra told ICC.

“It’s been a special month personally and for the team. Being able to play a World Cup in India has been incredibly special,” he added.

While Ravindra remains among the leaders for most runs scored at the World Cup, the young left-hander heaped praise on his teammates for allowing him to flourish at the top of New Zealand’s batting order.

“Being backed by the team helps a lot, being able to go out there with a lot of freedom, and play your natural game,” Ravindra added.

“The lucky thing is the wickets have been really nice to bat on, suits my game in terms of being positive and taking the game on.”

Ravindra, one of the breakout stars of the World Cup, gave fans plenty to shout about as he made 42 in his team’s five-wicket win which has almost guaranteed New Zealand a place in the semi-finals.

“It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” Ravindra told Star Sports.

“I am grateful for the support, especially playing in Bangalore. The crowd chanting my name is something I will never take for granted.”

In 2021, at the second Test in Mumbai, he held the catch that allowed teammate Ajaz Patel to become just the third bowler in history to take all 10 wickets in an innings.

It would have helped ease the bruising 372-run loss the Kiwis suffered.

“It was a nervy moment in my career. Lucky to have taken the catch,” he said.

(With Agency Inputs)