IPL Auction 2024: Rachin Ravindra enters MS Dhoni camp for IPL debut

Named after Indian batting legends Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, New Zealand’s young batting sensation Rachin Ravindra will make his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for another Indian legend, MS Dhoni, as Chennai Super Kings bought the Indian-origin Kiwi for a sum of Rs. 180,000 (1.8 crore).

Left-handed batter Rachin, who is also a useful spin option, came to the auction table at the base price of Rs 50 lakh and invited a bidding battle between CSK and Delhi Capitals.

The 24-year-old New Zealander scored 578 runs at the recently-concluded ODI World Cup, making his debut in the tournament and scoring three centuries against England, Australia and Pakistan. His tally of 578 runs is a record by a debutant in a single edition of a World Cup.

Rachin also took took five wickets with his left-arm spin.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Rachin had stated that he picked cricket as a child as his dad played club cricket and the sport was always there in some capacity at home. He remembered using a toy ball to practice with his dad.

“I think so (if he picked cricket because of his father). Dad played club cricket, he watched a lot of cricket, played it on PlayStation as well. It was always on around the house all the time. Naturally, I picked it up. Mum and Dad would always throw me plastic balls. I always wanted to bat or bowl. It accumulated to where I am today,” said Rachin.