### New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra Shatters Kane Williamson's Champions Trophy Record Rachin Ravindra has made history in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by becoming the first New Zealand player to score over 250 runs in a single edition of the tournament, finishing with a remarkable total of 263 runs from four matches. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Kane Williamson, who scored 244 runs in the 2017 edition. Ravindra's performance has been pivotal in leading New Zealand to the finals, showcasing his exceptional talent on the international stage [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/ind-vs-nz-rachin-ravindra-breaks-massive-kane-williamson-record-in-becomes-first-player-to-score-250-runs-for-new-zealand-in-single-champions-trophy-edition-article-118818094]. ### Breakdown of New Zealand's Journey to the Final 1. **Semi-Final Victory Against South Africa** - New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final held in Lahore, setting up a final against India. The team scored 362 runs, with Ravindra and Williamson both scoring centuries [https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/2532599/clinical-nz-set-up-india-final]. 2. **Rachin Ravindra's Record-Setting Performance** - In the semi-final, Ravindra scored 108 runs off 101 balls, marking his fifth ODI century in major tournaments. This performance not only helped secure the win but also placed him among cricketing greats [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3286830-rachin-ravindras-century-pushes-new-zealand-to-ct-2025-final-brink]. 3. **Kane Williamson's Consistent Excellence** - Williamson also contributed significantly with a score of 102 runs, continuing his streak of scoring over 50 runs in ICC knockout matches [https://www.insidesport.in/cricket/kane-williamson-scores-century-vs-sa-in-champions-trophy-semifinal-continues-50-streak-in-icc-odi-events]. 4. **Team Dynamics and Strategy** - The partnership between Ravindra and Williamson was crucial, with a 164-run stand that laid the foundation for New Zealand's formidable total. Mitchell Santner praised their performance, highlighting the importance of their collaboration [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3287186-cricket-santner-hails-ravindra-williamson-stand-after-nz-make-champions-trophy-final]. ### Key Statistics and Achievements - **Rachin Ravindra's Total Runs**: 263 runs in 4 matches, breaking the previous record of 244 runs held by Kane Williamson. - **Semi-Final Match Stats**: New Zealand scored 362 runs; South Africa managed 312 runs in response. - **Centuries Scored**: Ravindra (108 runs) and Williamson (102 runs) both scored centuries in the semi-final, marking a significant achievement for the team [https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/2025/03/06/south-africa-bemoan-not-ideal-travel-to-dubai-after-champions-trophy-semi-final-exit]. ### Conclusion: A Historic Moment for New Zealand Cricket In summary, Rachin Ravindra's outstanding performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has not only set a new benchmark for New Zealand cricket but has also played a crucial role in their journey to the finals. His record-breaking runs, combined with Kane Williamson's consistent excellence, have positioned New Zealand as a formidable contender in the tournament. The final against India promises to be an exciting showdown, with New Zealand aiming to capitalize on their recent successes [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/nz-vs-sa-icc-champions-trophy-semi-final-2-five-talking-points-from-new-zealands-win-over-south-africa].