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New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was hit in the face by a ball during the first ODI against Pakistan, needing medical attention. His 2025 Champions Trophy absence may impact the team.
Snippets from the nasty incident with Rachin Ravindra in Lahore. (PC: Screengrab/Fancode)
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was struck in the face by a strong hit from Pakistan’s Khushdil Shah and had to be rushed out off the field with bandages to stop the blood, in a nasty incident in the first ODI of the ongoing Tri-nation Series at Lahore’s Gadaffi Stadium on Saturday.
It happened in the 37th over of the innings. Fielding at deep square leg, Ravindra settled to take the catch of Shah’s slog-sweep against Michael Bracewell. However, as the ball reached him, he seemed to lose it in the lights, and couldn’t bring his hands in front as the ball hit him flush on the forehead.
The next images were of him dazedly staring at the ground with blood oozing out of his face. Medical staff, from both New Zealand and Pakistan sides, rushed to him. He got up again after a few minutes and was soon helped out of the field. Watch the video of the incident here, though viewer discretion is advised.
The stadium had gone visually stunned and worried and the silence only broke when the crowd applauded him as he walked out. The Blackcaps were yet to issue an update on his health.
Should the all-rounder be ruled out of the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, it will be a serious blow to the Kiwis’ prospects. He had a stellar 2023 ODI World Cup campaign in India where he scored 578 runs at an average of 64.22 with a strike-rate of 106.45 in 10 matches.
The side would be banking on him at the top of the order as well as on his contributions as a part-time spinner on pitches that’ll support his bowling in Pakistan and the UAE. New Zealand are part of Group A at the ICC event and will go up against India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the league stage.
As for the match in Lahore, the visitors went on to secure the win by 78 runs thanks to Glenn Phillips’ quickfire 106 followed by Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry’s three-wicket hauls.
