Mitchell’s Masterclass Stuns India as New Zealand Level ODI Series
Good evening and we turn now to cricket from Rajkot, where New Zealand have produced a calm, commanding response against India to level this one-day international series.
This was a night shaped by one man, Daryl Mitchell and it was a reminder of why New Zealand are such a dangerous side when the pressure is on.
India batted first and put 284 on the board. On paper, that looks competitive and much of that was down to KL Rahul. He held the innings together beautifully, finishing unbeaten on 112, showing patience early and power late. Shubman Gill gave India a solid start with a fluent half-century, but after that, the innings never quite lifted. Wickets fell at regular intervals, partnerships never fully developed and New Zealand’s bowlers managed to keep India just below what many felt was a par score on a good batting surface.
So New Zealand walked out knowing the chase was very achievable, but also knowing early wickets could change the story. And at 46 for two, with Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls back in the pavilion, the door looked slightly open for India.
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That’s when Daryl Mitchell took complete control.
Mitchell didn’t rush. He didn’t panic. He simply built the innings ball by ball. Alongside Will Young, he stitched together a match-defining partnership, soaking up pressure and slowly turning it back on the Indian bowlers. Young played his part with a composed 87, rotating strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking, but the authority always came from Mitchell.
Once he settled in, the outcome felt inevitable. Mitchell reached his century with time to spare, his eighth in one-day internationals and he finished unbeaten on 131. Even when Young departed, there was no sense of drama. Mitchell stayed ice-cool, guided the chase with Glenn Phillips and sealed the win with more than two overs left.
For India, this will sting. The bowling lacked a cutting edge in the middle overs and the total, while respectable, never truly put New Zealand under sustained pressure. It’s a reminder that in modern ODI cricket, especially at home, teams often need that extra 20 or 30 runs to feel safe.
The bigger picture now is simple. The series is level, momentum has swung and all eyes turn to the decider in Indore. India will be looking for sharper execution and more ruthless bowling. New Zealand, meanwhile, will take huge confidence from the composure and class they showed tonight.
One match to go, everything on the line and if this game is any indication, we’re set for a fascinating finish.
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