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New Zealand's young batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was adjudged 'Player of the tournament' as he was the top run-scorer in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and was handy with the ball as well. Ravindra congratulated Team India after New Zealand's bittersweet end to the Champions Trophy 2025.
"Obviously it is bitter-sweet. It was a great final. We played some really good cricket in the lead up, it was a good game and congratulations to India. The build up to the tournament was great and playing for a great team was very enjoyable," Ravindra said in the post-match presentation.
After missing New Zealand's opening encounter against hosts Pakistan, he scored two centuries including semifinal against South Africa. He scored 263 runs from four innings. He credited good wickets for his performances in ICC tournaments but rued not winning the trophy.
"I don't know, maybe we get to play on good wickets, I enjoy tournament cricket because it is the accumulation of the work you have done and it is a common goal of getting to the final, so you take each game by that and I certainly enjoyed that," the southpaw said.
"Very proud of my past. There are so many people to thank along the way that I couldn't do that if I sit here for an hour. Very thankful for everyone who has helped me along the way and it would have been nice to have the icing on the cake by winning the trophy, but it is what it is, cricket can be a cruel game sometimes," he added.
Ravindra on his bowling
Ravindra scored 37 runs from 29 balls in the final before falling to left-arm chinman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. He was exceptional with the ball as well, taking the wicket of Indian captain Rohit Sharma. The left-arm spinner conceded 47 runs from his quota of 10 overs.
"I always like to bowl. Santner always gives me a bit of banter that I am not bowling enough in the nets, I have to do that to add a little bit more overs," he said.
Ravindra lauds his teammates
Ravindra lauded all the members of the New Zealand squad and the envrionment in the dressing room.
"All members of the squad have a part to play and that's great with the Black Caps squad, not necessarily like an established player or a newbie, that's the beauty about the environment and we just quietly go about our business and show confidence in the team. When you have more experience going along, it helps you in situations like this," he concluded.
