IND vs NZ: Daryl Mitchell Led New Zealand To Level Series

A high-intensity clash between IND vs NZ saw Daryl Mitchell play an unbeaten century to steer New Zealand to a thrilling seven-wicket win, leveling up the three-match ODI series, thereby making it all to play for in the decider. Chasing a tough target of 285, Mitchell’s powerful 131* anchored New Zealand’s highest-ever successful ODI run chase against India on Indian soil.

New Zealand Overcome Early Setbacks

New Zealand’s chase was on a shaky note as the left-handed Devon Conway was bowled early by Harshit Rana for 16, quickly followed by Henry Nicholls for 10. At 46/2, India seemed briefly in command. Mitchell joined Will Young at the crease, and the two completely changed the course of the game.

A stand of 162 for the third wicket from the 13th over onwards broke the back of Indian bowling. Young was playing the anchor’s role with an effortless 87 off 98 balls while Mitchell played the aggressor with measured brutality, never allowing the required run-rate to get out of control.

Mitchell Dominates Under Dewy Conditions

The start of the dew formation, however, saw the Indian bowlers losing grip and control. Mitchell seized this moment to end his boundary wait by taking on Kuldeep Yadav with his usual authority. Mitchell seemed nowhere near slowing down after he was almost run out on 80 and then dropped shortly later.

He spoke of his eighth ODI century in just 96 balls, which emphasized his constancy in batting against the Indian team. Even after Young was removed in the 38th over, New Zealand was significantly ahead in the match.

Calm Finish with Phillips Support

Glenn Phillips added the icing to the cake with a commencing 32* off 25 balls. Mitchell finished off the chase in a stylish fashion with a ramp shot, unbeaten at 131 off 117 deliveries. New Zealand edged past 286 for 3 in 47.3 overs, sealing the victory with 15 overs left.

KL Rahul’s Lone Resistance for India

Earlier, India were reduced to 284-7 after being asked to bat first on what proved to be a testing wicket. The Indian innings was salvaged by an unbroken partnership for the eighth wicket between Rahul and the lower-order batsmen, with Rahul himself scoring an impressive 112.

India had a defensive start, with only 10 overs being scored in the first five overs. The presence of Rohit Sharma (24) and Shubman Gill (56) brought some calmness, although a sudden plunge was caused by Shubman Gill’s fall.

Middle-Order Collapse Costs India

New Zealand bowled tightly with their bowling pair of Kristian Clarke along with Michael Bracewell and Jayden Lennox. India had a boundary-less 10-over period with the fall of Shreyas Iyer (8) and Virat Kohli (23) as they were reduced to 118/4. Clarke was the best bowler on the day, taking impressive bowling figures of 3/56.

Rahul’s Late Acceleration

But Rahul rallied this time too, along with Ravindra Jadeja (27), before pushing the acceleration with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (20). Finally, in the last ten overs, Rahul’s gear change was nothing short of breathtaking, scoring his eighth ODI ton in 87 balls, taking the total last ten overs addition by India to 85.

Though it was a strong end, it was Indian middle-overs performances that eventually sealed the fate of the match between IND and NZ.