IND vs NZ: Daryl Mitchell struck a magnificent unbeaten 131 to guide New Zealand to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Wednesday (January 14), leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Chasing a competitive target of 285, the visitors reached 286 for 3 in 47.3 overs, marking their highest successful run chase against India in India. Mitchell's heroics overshadowed a fighting century by KL Rahul, whose unbeaten 112 had earlier propelled India to 284 for 7.
Put in to bat by New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell, India began confidently with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 70 runs. However, the introduction of young pacer Kristian Clarke changed the complexion of the innings.
Clarke dismissed Rohit (24) and then removed Virat Kohli (23) and Shreyas Iyer (8) in quick succession, reducing India to a precarious position. Gill, who looked fluent for his 56 off 53 balls, fell to Kyle Jamieson, leaving the middle order exposed.
It was KL Rahul who anchored the innings, combining caution with aggression. He found support from Ravindra Jadeja (27) and later Nitish Kumar Reddy (20), stitching crucial partnerships to take the team to a defendable total. Rahul's knock came off just 92 balls and included 11 boundaries and a six. Clarke was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 56, while debutant spinner Jayden Lennox impressed with a tidy spell of 1 for 42.
In reply, New Zealand faced early setbacks as Indian pacers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna removed openers Devon Conway (16) and Henry Nicholls (10) cheaply. At 46 for 2, the match hung in the balance before Mitchell and Will Young joined forces. The duo constructed a match-winning partnership of 162 runs for the third wicket, effectively shutting India out of the contest. Young played a composed hand of 87 off 98 balls before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav.
Mitchell continued his onslaught, reaching his century and finishing the game with an audacious ramp shot for four. His unbeaten 131 came off 117 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Glenn Phillips provided the finishing touches with a brisk 32 not out off 25 balls. The Indian bowlers struggled to break the stand, with spinners Kuldeep Yadav (1/82) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/44) failing to stem the flow of runs. The series decider will be played in Indore on Sunday.
Brief scores: India 284/7 in 50 overs (KL Rahul 112*, Shubman Gill 56, Ravindra Jadeja 27; Kristian Clarke 3/56, Kyle Jamieson 1/56) lost to New Zealand 286/3 in 47.3 overs (Daryl Mitchell 131*, Will Young 87, Glenn Phillips 32*; Prasidh Krishna 1/49, Harshit Rana 1/52) by 7 wickets
