IND vs NZ: New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell etched a remarkable milestone into the ODI record books on Sunday, January 18, becoming the first player ever
to register five consecutive 50-plus scores in One-Day Internationals against India on Indian soil.
The achievement came during the third and final match of the ongoing ODI series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Mitchell, who currently holds the No. 2 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, continued his stellar run against the hosts with yet another composed half-century. Coming in at No. 4, the experienced right-hander displayed impeccable timing and shot selection to steady New Zealand's innings after early jitters. His fifty arrived in the 21st over, courtesy of a boundary off Kuldeep Yadav, as he reached the mark in 56 balls.
Daryl Mitchell has compiled an impressive run of scores - 130, 134, 84 and an unbeaten 131m before his latest knock in Indore. Only four players had managed a similar streak of four successive 50-plus scores against India in ODIs played in India: Chris Gayle, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds and AB de Villiers. Mitchell has now matched that elite group by reaching fifty or more in each of his last four ODIs against the Men in Blue.
Among New Zealand batters, Mitchell's consistency puts him in distinguished company. He now sits just behind Kane Williamson, who produced five consecutive 50-plus scores against India back in 2014. Mitchell, however, has the opportunity to go one better in the ongoing series decider.
At the time of writing this article, New Zealand are cruising at 183/3 with Mitchell inching towards his century.
