RACHIN RAVINDRA, THE KIWI AT HOME IN CHENNAI

All-rounder has settled in at CSK like a duck to water, and he has looked great so far

- GOMESH S

Barring the five T20Is in 2021, he had batted only at No 6 or below for New Zealand across formats. Over the next few weeks, however, he would go on and stamp his authority at the top - 578 runs, 64 average and 106.44 strike rate - playing a crucial role in the Black Caps reaching the semifinal of the global event. Such was his impact that he was even awarded the ICC Emerging Player of the Year 2023.

Cut to March 22. Draped in yellow, Rachin was walking out to bat for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the opening day. He looked different. He seemed a lot more built up holding a solid base at the crease. He was not just a southpaw who batted like a breeze in the World Cup, but an aggressor taking down bowlers for fun in the powerplay. Yes, the pitches for the first two games were flat, but that in no way takes away the flamboyance with which Rachin smashed every bowler who came in his way. This is no exaggeration, and the numbers say as much. 37 off 15 against RCB, and 46 from 20 balls versus Gujarat Titans. 15 boundaries (six 6s and nine 4s) in 35 balls, accounting for 86 per cent of his runs.

This was not the Rachin who played against India in the Mumbai Test in late 2021 and took a picture alongside his namesake and CSK teammate Ravindra Jadeja. In the last few months, the New Zealand youngster has turned into one of the exciting openers to look forward to. Ask him what has changed, Rachin says, not much, but for a lot pieces and things falling together in place.