Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 powers New Zealand to record chase; series levelled 1-1
Rajkot: Daryl Mitchell struck a masterful unbeaten 131 to power New Zealand to a seven-wicket victory over India on Wednesday, levelling the three-match one-day international series at 1-1.
Mitchell’s eighth ODI century anchored a successful chase of 285 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, as the Black Caps reached 286-3 with 15 balls to spare. The result marked New Zealand's highest successful run chase on Indian soil in the format.
The victory was built on a commanding 162-run third-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Will Young, who contributed 87 off 98 balls. Their stand, the fourth-highest ever for New Zealand’s third wicket in ODIs, shifted the momentum after the visitors had slipped to 46-2 in the 13th over.
"The run-rate had crept up to seven, but once we got into a rhythm, we felt there was an opportunity to put pressure back onto India," Young said after the match. "We timed it very well. After scoring 300 in the first game, 285 felt like a very chaseable number."
India, having been sent in to bat, posted 284-7 behind a resilient, unbeaten 112 from Lokesh Rahul. India's innings had faltered early to 118-4 before Rahul stabilised the middle order, reaching his century in 87 deliveries.
Medium-pacer Kristian Clarke led the New Zealand attack, claiming 3-56. Clarke’s haul included the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma (24), Virat Kohli (23), and Shreyas Iyer (8) to stall India’s early progress. Skipper Shubman Gill provided the only other major contribution for the hosts, scoring 56 off 53 balls for his second consecutive half-century of the series.
Rahul's rescue effort included a 73-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (27) and a brisk 57-run stand with Nitish Reddy (20), but the total ultimately proved insufficient on a surface that flattened out under the evening dew.
In response, New Zealand overcame the early losses of Devon Conway (16) and Henry Nicholls (10) as Mitchell and Young took control. Despite a few late errors by the Indian fielders, including a dropped catch of Mitchell in the 36th over, the Black Caps remained composed. Mitchell finished the match with 11 boundaries and two sixes, sealing the win with an audacious ramp shot.
India won the series opener in Vadodara by four wickets. The deciding match will be played on Sunday in Indore.
With inputs from PTI