Rajkot, Jan 14 (UNI) A commanding unbeaten century by Daryl Mitchell overshadowed a fighting batting effort from India as New Zealand produced a clinical chase to register a seven-wicket victory and level the series in the second One-Day International of the New Zealand tour of India at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Wednesday.
Chasing 285, New Zealand were steered home by Mitchell’s masterful unbeaten 131, but the foundation of the contest was laid earlier by India’s recovery to 284 for seven after early and middle-order setbacks.
Asked to bat after losing the toss, India began cautiously before Rohit Sharma fell for 24, edging Kristian Clarke to Will Young. Skipper Shubman Gill looked fluent during his 56 off 53 balls, striking nine fours and a six, but his dismissal to Kyle Jamieson triggered a wobble.
India soon slid from 99 for one to 118 for four as Virat Kohli (23) was bowled and Shreyas Iyer (8) edged behind, both falling to Clarke, who emerged as New Zealand’s most incisive bowler in the middle overs.
With India in trouble, KL Rahul produced a mature and composed innings to hold the lower order together. The wicketkeeper-batsman absorbed pressure during a prolonged boundary drought, rotated the strike smartly and reached his half-century with a thick edge past third man.
As the innings progressed, Rahul expanded his range with crisp drives through extra cover, confident sweeps and assured footwork against the spinners.
Rahul found support in Ravindra Jadeja, who contributed 27, before Nitish Kumar Reddy added late momentum with a brisk 20. In the 49th over, Rahul brought up his eighth ODI hundred in style, launching a full toss from Kyle Jamieson over long-on for six. He finished unbeaten on 112 off 92 balls, striking 11 fours and a six, as India added 93 runs in the final 12 overs to post 284 for seven.
New Zealand’s reply was anchored by Mitchell after early wickets left the visitors at 46 for two. Alongside Will Young, who made a solid 87, Mitchell stitched together a decisive 162-run partnership for the third wicket that effectively took the game away from India. After Young fell to Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell remained in complete control.
Mitchell went on to register a superb unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, striking 11 fours and two sixes, while Glenn Phillips provided finishing support with an unbeaten 32 off 25 balls. New Zealand crossed the target in 47.3 overs, finishing on 286 for three to seal a seven-wicket win and square the series.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna picked up a wicket each, but the bowlers struggled to contain Mitchell once he was set.
A clinical chase from New Zealand ensured the series was levelled, with Mitchell’s innings standing out as the defining performance of the match.
