In a display of sheer batting dominance, Daryl Mitchell produced a magnificent unbeaten century to guide New Zealand to a record-breaking victory over India in Rajkot. Chasing a formidable target of 285 in the second One Day International (ODI), Mitchell’s authoritative 131 off 117 balls* saw the Black Caps home with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare.
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A Landmark Victory on Indian Soil
This triumph represents a significant milestone for New Zealand cricket. Not only did it level the three-match series at 1-1, but it also marked the highest successful ODI run-chase ever achieved by New Zealand in India. Furthermore, the victory emphatically ended an eight-match losing streak against the Men in Blue, providing the visitors with much-needed momentum ahead of the series decider.
The Foundation of the Chase
The pursuit began under a cloud of uncertainty as New Zealand slumped to 46-2. However, the game shifted dramatically through a colossal third-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Will Young. The duo combined for a clinical 162-run stand, systematically dismantling the Indian spin attack. While Young narrowly missed out on a century—falling for a resilient 87—Mitchell remained the immovable anchor of the innings.
Mitchell’s current form is nothing short of extraordinary. Over his last ten ODI innings, he has amassed two centuries and five additional scores of over fifty, cementing his status as one of the most consistent middle-order batsmen in world cricket.
Battle of the Centurions
The match featured a rare “duel of eighths,” as both Daryl Mitchell and India’s KL Rahul recorded their eighth career ODI hundreds. Rahul’s blistering 112 off 92 balls had initially put India in the driver’s seat, supported by a steady half-century from captain Shubman Gill.
However, India’s senior superstars failed to capitalise on their starts. Both Rohit Sharma (24) and Virat Kohli (23) were dismissed by the rising Kiwi seamer Christian Clarke, who finished as the pick of the bowlers.
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls | Result |
| Daryl Mitchell | NZ | 131* | 117 | Won |
| KL Rahul | IND | 112 | 92 | Lost |
| Will Young | NZ | 87 | 94 | Won |
| Shubman Gill | IND | 54 | 61 | Lost |
The Decider in Indore
With the series now on a knife-edge, the action moves to the final ODI in Indore on 18 January. India will be desperate to fix their middle-order wobbles, while New Zealand will look to Mitchell to replicate his Rajkot heroics and secure a rare series victory on the subcontinent.