Mitchell's 131 powers NZ to 7-wicket win, series tied 1-1 in Rajkot
Mitchell's 131 powers NZ to 7-wicket win, series tied 1-1 in Rajkot
Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 guides New Zealand to a seven-wicket win chasing 285 in Rajkot, leveling the series 1-1 as India struggle on a slow pitch.
New Zealand produced a clinical chase in Rajkot, reaching 286 for 3 in 47.3 overs to level the series at 1-1. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 anchored the innings, and Will Young added 87 as the pair stitched a 162-run second-wicket stand to take control on a slow surface.
Rahul struck a battling 112 not out off 91 balls for India, but the hosts were left short of a big score after a steady start, and Kohli's earlier momentum failed to convert into a match-defining effort. Shubman Gill contributed 56, while Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli departed cheaply, with Kohli bowled for 23.
On the bowling front, debutant left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox impressed with 1 for 42 from 10 overs; Michael Bracewell chipped in with 1 for 34. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja conceded 126 runs from 18 overs for just one wicket as New Zealand’s attack found grip and rhythm on a testing track. A dropped catch by Prasidh Krishna when Mitchell was on 80 proved costly, allowing the New Zealand opener to anchor the chase.
India's innings began with a steady start but slipped from 99 for 1 to 118 for 4, with Rahul eventually carrying the innings to 284 for 7 thanks to his 112. India will hope for sharper contribution from the middle order in the decider.
With the series now level at 1-1 ahead of the final ODI, India will look to rebound on a surface that offered some assistance to spinners, while New Zealand carry confidence from a composed chase and a dominant high-quality partnership at the forefront of their approach.
