Twitter erupts as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra smash centuries to decimate England in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 opener

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway added an unbeaten partnership of 273 runs for the 2nd wicket.

England are having a tough outing against New Zealand at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Defending champions England are struggling to find any rhythm in the opening game against New Zealand. Opener Devon Conway and all-rounder Rachin Ravindra have put up an outstanding partnership to decimate England by 9 wickets chasing 283 in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 opener. Both batters have dominated the Kiwi chase of 283 runs against England with their magnificent unbeaten 273 runs stand in 211 balls for the 2nd wicket. 

Devon Conway and Rachin's marathon stand

Opener Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra smashed centuries and dominated the English bowlers. Fans around the world are also in awe of this massive 273 runs partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. Social media was abuzz with huge praise being showered on both left-hand batters. Both remained unbeaten to give NZ crucial two points with a better NRR.

Unfazed by the pace of Mark Wood and Moeen Ali’s lethal off-spin bowling, Rachin and Conway chased down 283 runs in just 36.2 overs. Devon Conway smashed his 5th ODI century in his just 22nd ODI innings. He completed his ton in 83 balls. Conway has been a prolific run-scorer for New Zealand as he has got 9 international centuries so far in his career after making his debut just 2 years back in 2021. Conway scored 152 runs in 121 balls with 19 fours and 3 sixes.

Here's how cricketing fraternity reacted to Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra's centuries:

https://twitter.com/KamiAkmal23/status/1709951329584722291

https://twitter.com/chopraanjum/status/1709951871878823997

https://twitter.com/iamyusufpathan/status/1709949832440565782

https://twitter.com/MohammadKaif/status/1709941924965318807

https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1709918678278369721

https://twitter.com/irbishi/status/1709942322849575100

https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/1709942399441801597

https://twitter.com/TomMoodyCricket/status/1709940937290637425

https://twitter.com/s_badrinath/status/1709946329429131680

https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1709948871055650876

https://twitter.com/robbieuthappa/status/1709942770956419483

https://twitter.com/sthalekar93/status/1709942815961276715

Rachin Ravindra's maiden ODI ton

Along with Devon Conway, all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has also smashed his first-ever ODI century in just 82 balls. This is Ravindra’s 9th ODI innings. Ravindra was batting at number 3 in the absence of Kane Williamson and didn’t let his team miss the maestro of batting much. Ravindra scored the winning runs for New Zealand and scored unbeaten 123 runs in 96 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes. This is Ravindra's highest score in ODI cricket.

Ravindra once again had testified himself at the top of the order for New Zealand. Both the batters are going strong in their marathon partnership that is putting England in an uncomfortable position. Ravindra looked the most dominating batter in the partnership and pushed every English bowler to the boundary line. 

Batting first, England posted 282 runs on the board with the help of a half-century from Joe Root (77). England’s middle order couldn’t put pressure on Kiwi spinners as they were restricted to a below-par score at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Matt Henry (3/48) had a terrific day with the ball along with Glenn Phillips (2/17)  and Mitchell Santner (2/37). England's batters had started in their innings but they couldn’t go for a long stay at the wicket, which put England in a vulnerable position.