Cricket World Cup: Rachin Ravindra tipped for Indian Premier League payday after breakthrough tournament for Blackcaps

He was barely known outside of New Zealand, but Rachin Ravindra's remarkable form at the Cricket World Cup has many expecting his life is about to change.  

The rising star and second-leading run-scorer of the tournament has already mustered 565 runs, and will be a key player for the Blackcaps in Wednesday's semi-final against India.  

And it's left one former Indian Premier League coach believing he's about to get a massive payday.

Rachin Ravindra celebrates his century against Pakistan.
Rachin Ravindra celebrates his century against Pakistan. Photo credit: Getty Images

In the madness and mayhem of Mumbai, the Blackcaps can't escape the chaos, but it's Ravindra who's the talk of the town, and his team.  

"He's a very popular young man in our team," said batter Devon Conway. "He's certainly received quite a lot of attention externally as well.  

"It's great that he's done what he's done."  

What he's done is become the breakout star of the World Cup, his 565 runs are the most any player aged 25 or under has scored at a tournament.  

"The way Rachin's played, where a few people had heard about him, and he got a score in the first game against England, he's gone from here to here, very, very quickly," former Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson told Newshub.

The man who gave Ravindra his first-class debut with Wellington five years ago, isn't surprised.  

"He just oozed talent," said Bruce Edgar. "A left-handed batsman, great range of skills, great range of shots.  

"As a person, he was an absolute student of the game. I think he could be one of our best, one of our greats."

 

It's that sort of skill and composure which former Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Hesson predicts will see him picked up at next month's IPL auction - and he won't come cheap.

"He might have hoped for a contract a month or so ago," he explained. "Now, I think it's not a matter of if, but where to, and potentially how much?"

An early Christmas present could be on the cards, but first, Ravindra has to try and upset the locals, with another World Cup win.