Rajkot: Daryl Mitchell produced a commanding unbeaten century to guide New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India in the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here today, drawing the three-match series level and setting up a decisive finale in Indore.
Chasing 285, the visitors recovered from an early wobble to register their highest successful ODI chase against India on Indian soil. After Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls departed cheaply, Mitchell joined Will Young with New Zealand at 46 for 2. What followed was a match-defining 162-run partnership that steadily wrested control from the hosts.
Young anchored the innings with a composed 87, while Mitchell counter-attacked with authority, regularly piercing the field as dew eased batting under lights. He reached his century in just 96 balls and remained unbeaten on 131, finishing the chase with a trademark ramp over the wicketkeeper. Glenn Phillips added urgency with a brisk 32 not out as New Zealand crossed the line with 15 balls to spare.
Earlier, India had relied heavily on KL Rahul’s fluent unbeaten 112 to post a competitive 284 for 7 after being put in. The innings threatened to unravel when the middle order faltered, with India slipping to 118 for 4 following the dismissals of Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli.
Rahul steadied the ship alongside Ravindra Jadeja before accelerating in the final phase. He found support from Nitish Kumar Reddy as India harvested 85 runs in the last ten overs. Shubman Gill’s 56 had earlier provided momentum, but New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Kristian Clarke’s 3 for 56, ensured India never fully broke free.
Despite Rahul’s late surge, India’s prolonged middle-overs slowdown proved costly as Mitchell’s clinical chase handed New Zealand a memorable victory and revived the series.
