Mumbai (Maharashtra), India, March 22 (ANI): Before the start of IPL 2025, New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson expressed high expectations for two promising young players: Kiwi sensation Rachin Ravindra and Indian T20I opening batsman Abhishek Sharma.
The IPL 2025 season will commence with the 'Originals Derby' as the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face off against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
Before the intense showdown, Kane, a JioStar specialist for IPL 2025, spoke to the press.
Talking to ANI regarding the talented New Zealand batsman Rachin, who will play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kane stated, "He picks things up quickly and has an incredibly high ceiling. He’s a remarkably skilled player, and I’m confident he’ll have numerous chances this season. Plus, I’d never count him out."
In 2021, Rachin made his international debut, and things began to improve significantly for him in 2023 during the 50-over World Cup held in India. There, he stood out as New Zealand’s leading scorer and ranked fourth globally, amassing 578 runs across 10 games along with scoring three centuries and two half-centuries. After delivering impressive performances in Test matches—including an outstanding double century against South Africa—Rachin joined the CSK team for their 2024 campaign following a bid of INR 1.8 crores. Although it was a moderate season, he still managed to score 222 runs over 10 matches, including one fifty.
Ahead of the 2024 Mega Auction, he was let go by the team only to be brought back for Rs 4 crore. Despite playing a key part as India suffered their first home-series defeat in Tests after more than 12 years, Rachin maintained his impressive performance. In the Champions Trophy, he accumulated 263 runs including two centuries, earning both the illustrious Golden Bat and 'Player of the Tournament' accolades despite India losing in the finals. For this upcoming IPL, he will have an opportunity to excel in the T20 format, where although he has displayed inconsistent yet encouraging outcomes thus far.
Kane remains hopeful that Indian opening batsman Abhishek will enter the new season feeling assured after his impressive performance during IPL 2024 alongside Travis Head. Together they formed quite a formidable pair known as ‘Travishek’. In those games, Abhishek amassed 484 runs from 16 matches, maintaining an average of 32.26, striking at over 204, scoring three half-centuries, and hitting an astounding total of 42 sixes.
After receiving some initially low scores internationally, cricket Even though he completed a hundred in his second T20 international match against Zimbabwe, Abhishek began to perform with greater consistency towards the latter part of the South Africa tour last year and during the home series against England.
In his past seven Twenty20 international matches, Abhishek has accumulated 365 runs with an average of 73.00 and a strike rate exceeding 214. This includes one hundred (a match against England where he scored 135 off 54 balls, hitting seven boundaries and thirteen sixes) along with two half-centuries.
Over his past 22 innings, covering both domestic performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophies, Abhishek has scored 1,087 runs with an impressive average of 51.76. During this period, he achieved three centuries and six half-centuries. Notably, one standout performance was his dominant 170-run knock off only 96 deliveries against Saurashtra during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Regarding the promising young talent, Kane stated, “There’s no question that his recent displays on the international stage will boost his self-assurance; such matches tend to elevate anyone’s confidence, particularly a youthful and energetic player like him. Last year marked an outstanding period for Abhishek. Furthermore, replicating that success at the global level and more recently against England—one of the leading teams—was truly impressive. Consequently, he should enter this season with high spirits.”
"The SRH team boasts an impressive lineup with significant hitting power. As always, performances can vary from day to day. However, when the Sunrisers have a strong outing, they tend to post massive totals, as demonstrated last season," he finished his statement. (ANI)
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