Mitchell imperious 100 overpowers Rahul's lone resistance as New Zealand levels ODI series vs India

 

On a day when the Rajkot pitch betrayed its reputation as a batting paradise, India found themselves outplayed by a masterclass from the much-overlooked Daryl Mitchell, whose imperious century powered New Zealand to a series-levelling victory. Despite a valiant, unbeaten hundred from KL Rahul, India could not defend their total, as the visitors chased down the target with composure to make it 1–1, setting up a decisive final ODI next Sunday.

India captain Shubman Gill lost the toss, and the hosts were put in to bat on a surface that appeared flat but behaved unpredictably. The pitch offered uneven bounce and sluggish carry, forcing Indian batters into discomfort from the outset. Gill and Rohit Sharma added a steady 70-run opening stand, but the momentum stalled when Rohit departed for 24, triggering a familiar middle-order wobble.

With India reeling at 118 for four, KL Rahul walked in and once again lived up to his growing reputation as the side’s Mr Dependable. Calm under pressure, technically assured, and mentally resolute, Rahul stitched the innings together with a superb unbeaten century. His knock was a blend of restraint and authority, rescuing India from a potential collapse and lifting them to a respectable 284. Around him, however, support was scarce. Virat Kohli (23), Ravindra Jadeja (27) and Nitish Reddy (20) all failed to convert starts, while Gill’s fluent half-century (56) remained the only other notable contribution.

New Zealand’s chase began under the advantage of evening dew, though the pitch continued to pose questions. Early wickets fell as Devon Conway (16) and Henry Nicholls (10) struggled to adapt, briefly giving India hope. That optimism, however, was extinguished by a commanding partnership between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell.

Young played the perfect foil—elegant, composed and tactically astute. His 87 was a study in timing and placement, absorbing pressure and rotating the strike intelligently. At the other end, Mitchell unleashed a batting exhibition that combined brute force with calculated aggression. The powerful right-hander, overlooked at the IPL auction, batted with purpose and poise, punishing loose deliveries and dominating the spinners. His scintillating century, decorated with nine boundaries and two towering sixes, wrested control firmly away from India.

The 162-run stand effectively sealed the contest. Although India’s bowlers toiled, wickets were hard to come by. Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav picked up a wicket apiece, while Mohammed Siraj bowled with discipline but went unrewarded.

In the end, Mitchell’s majestic hundred and Young’s serene support overshadowed Rahul’s heroic effort, as New Zealand completed the chase to draw the series level. All eyes now turn to the decider, where both sides will look to settle the contest once and for all.