Daryl Mitchell Hits 84 To Lift New Zealand To 300/8 Against India In Vadodara

Daryl Mitchell’s determined half-century helped New Zealand reach a total of 300 for 8 in the first One-Day International against India at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday.

Ranked world No. 3 behind Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Mitchell rose to the occasion with a resilient innings, providing New Zealand with a crucial boost amid a middle-order collapse.

Mitchell scored 84 off 71 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes, after the New Zealand middle order struggled to capitalize on the solid start given by Devon Conway (56 off 67 balls; 6 fours, 1 six) and Henry Nicholls (62 off 69 balls; 8 fours).

Openers Conway and Nicholls had established a 117-run partnership, holding off India for the first 21 overs. However, Harshit Rana’s

second spell (2/65) changed the momentum, as he took 2 wickets for 13 runs in 2 overs, leading to regular breakthroughs for the home side.

New Zealand’s score tumbled from 117 for no loss in the 22nd over to 198 for five in the 38th. Nevertheless, Mitchell formed crucial partnerships to rescue his team, while debutant Kristian Clarke added a quick 24 not out off 17 balls, including three late fours.

In the 22nd over, Rana broke the century stand between Conway and Nicholls with an off-cutter that Nicholls edged to the wicketkeeper. Rana continued to baffle the batsmen in the 24th over, mixing slower balls with deliveries over 140 kmph, eventually bowling Conway out with an inside edge.

India and Rana could have made a breakthrough earlier had Kuldeep Yadav (1/52) held on to a straightforward catch at third man in the fifth over when Nicholls was on five.

Mohammed Siraj’s slower delivery induced an edge from Will Young, caught behind the wickets, while Prasidh Krishna (2/60) bowled out Mitchell Hay (12) in the 37th over.

Glenn Phillips, under the weather in recent days, looked sluggish during his brief stay and was dismissed by Kuldeep. A brilliant direct hit by Shreyas Iyer from long-on ran out Kiwi captain Michael Bracewell.

Earlier, Conway initiated New Zealand’s innings with a drive down the wicket for his first boundary. Nicholls took his time to settle in, utilizing the sweep shot effectively to find occasional boundaries. As their confidence grew, the duo executed sweep and reverse sweep shots perfectly, rotating the strike well to establish a century partnership.

With PTI Inputs