Daryl Mitchell produced a masterclass under lights to outshine KL Rahul’s sublime century and steer New Zealand to a historic seven-wicket victory over India in Indore, leveling the ODI series and setting up a high-stakes decider. Chasing 285, the Black Caps registered their highest successful ODI chase on Indian soil, finishing on 286 for 3 with more than two overs to spare.
Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, his eighth ODI century, was the defining performance of the night. Supported superbly by Will Young’s composed 87, the pair stitched together a match-winning 162-run partnership that neutralised India’s spin threat and capitalised on improving batting conditions. Once Mitchell took the attack to Kuldeep Yadav, New Zealand never relinquished control.
Earlier, India had leaned heavily on KL Rahul’s elegant 112 not out, a knock of immense skill and patience on a surface that gripped and slowed through the afternoon. Rahul scored 112 of the 169 runs added while he was at the crease, expertly pacing the innings as wickets fell around him. Shubman Gill’s fluent 56 off 53 provided early momentum, but India struggled to accelerate through the middle overs as New Zealand’s bowlers tightened the screws.
The contrast between the two innings proved decisive. While India laboured against spin, scoring just 89 runs for two wickets across 23 overs, New Zealand countered cleverly, sweeping regularly and manipulating gaps. Mitchell’s calculated assault on Kuldeep forced the left-arm wristspinner into defensive lengths, and although he dismissed Young late, the damage had already been done.
India had made early inroads with the ball, reducing New Zealand to 46 for 2 inside the first thirteen overs as Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna extracted unexpected seam movement. However, the pitch quickened considerably in the cooler evening conditions, allowing stroke-play to flourish even without dew.
Mitchell grew in authority as the chase progressed, reaching his century with a towering six and benefitting from two late reprieves. Yet with the required rate never climbing beyond seven an over, New Zealand remained firmly ahead of the game. Glenn Phillips sealed the result with a boundary off Kuldeep, confirming a chase that underlined New Zealand’s adaptability and composure.
The win snapped New Zealand’s eight-match ODI losing streak against India and marked the first successful chase at Rajkot’s new ODI venue. It also reinforced Mitchell’s growing stature as one of the world’s most reliable middle-order batters, with his 2,553 career ODI runs placing him among elite company at this stage of a career.
Despite Rahul’s brilliance and disciplined new-ball bowling, India were ultimately undone by the transformation in conditions and an inability to inflict damage once the ball softened. With the series now level, Indore awaits a decisive showdown, where execution under pressure will once again define the contest.
