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Daryl Mitchell produced a commanding unbeaten 131 to guide New Zealand to a seven-wicket win

Daryl Mitchell produced a commanding unbeaten 131 to guide New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India, setting up a series decider in Indore. His match-winning effort overshadowed KL Rahul’s fighting 112*, which had lifted India to a competitive 284 after a major mid-innings slump.

New Zealand, chasing 285 to end an eight-match losing streak against India in ODIs, suffered early setbacks. Devon Conway was bowled by Harshit Rana for 16, and Henry Nicholls inside-edged Prasidh Krishna onto his stumps for 10, leaving the visitors at 46/2 in the 13th over. Mitchell then joined Will Young, and the pair completely changed the game with a superb 162-run third-wicket partnership.

Young played the stabilising role with a composed 87 off 98 deliveries, while Mitchell took charge, regularly finding boundaries to keep the chase under control. Dew on the outfield made life harder for India’s bowlers as the ball skidded on, offering little grip or movement. Mitchell broke a prolonged boundary drought by launching Kuldeep Yadav for a six and a four, reaching his second successive fifty in 52 balls.

Mitchell had moments of luck—a run-out chance at 80 and a dropped catch by Prasidh Krishna at long-off—yet continued to dominate. Even after Kuldeep finally dismissed Young in the 38th over, New Zealand remained firmly ahead. Mitchell soon reached his eighth ODI hundred from 96 balls and showed no signs of slowing down.

Glenn Phillips supported him with a rapid unbeaten 32 from 25 balls. Mitchell sealed the win in style with his signature ramp shot over the wicketkeeper, finishing on 131 not out from 117 balls. New Zealand reached 286/3 with 15 balls remaining, achieving their highest successful ODI chase on Indian soil.

India’s Innings: Rahul salvages a shaky start

Earlier, KL Rahul’s unbeaten century lifted India from 118/4 to a respectable 284/7. Batting first on a surface tough for fluent stroke-making, India struggled early as New Zealand pacers Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes kept Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill quiet. Only 10 runs came in the first five overs until the openers recovered to 57/0 by the end of the Powerplay.

Rohit was dismissed for 24 by Kristian Clarke, while Gill continued confidently to reach 56 off 53 before mis-timing a pull to midwicket. This triggered a collapse. Clarke removed both Shreyas Iyer (8) and Virat Kohli (23), sending India tumbling to 118/4. Clarke finished with the best figures of 3/56.

Rahul shifted to a rebuilding role with Ravindra Jadeja, adding 73 for the fifth wicket. After Jadeja fell for 27, Rahul accelerated smartly, finding support from Nitish Kumar Reddy, whose quick 20 helped add 57 vital runs. Rahul completed his eighth ODI hundred in 87 balls with a huge six off Jamieson, powering India to 85 runs in the final 10 overs.

Despite the late flourish, the sluggish middle overs ultimately hurt India’s chances.

Brief Scores

India 284/7 (50 overs):
KL Rahul 112*, Shubman Gill 56; Kristian Clarke 3/56

New Zealand 286/3 (47.3 overs):
Daryl Mitchell 131*, Will Young 87
New Zealand won by 7 wickets

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