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'Bloody good fun': Mitchell downplays heroics after rare India win
Sport Nation •  January 15th, 2026 10:16 am
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips get the job done, completing the win over India | Photo: AP
Eight years since their last year ODI win on Indian soil, Blackcaps maestro Daryl Mitchell stepped up to snap the streak almost singlehandedly.
Mitchell lived up to his billing as the ICC's No. 2-ranked ODI batter with a magnificent undefeated 131 to steer New Zealand home with minimal fuss in the second match in Rajkot overnight Thursday (NZ time).
It was a continuation of a sparkling home summer for the 34-year-old, who now boasts an average of 56.73 on the back of his eighth century in the format.
As always, the eternally humble Hamiltonian played down his remarkable run.
"The numbers don't really faze me too much," Mitchell told Sport Nation.Â
"I just love playing for New Zealand and I love the fact that I get to play all three formats and test my game all over the world and in those formats.Â
"I'm just trying to win games for our country and trying to do a job and it's bloody good fun."Â
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The platform was laid by the NZ bowlers in restricting India to a modest total of 284/7, with newcomer Kristian Clarke making another strong impression by leading the attack with figures of - including the prize scalp of Virat Kohli.
The foundation of the Blackcaps' chase was Mitchell's mammoth 162-run third-wicket partnership with Will Young, who broke out of his slump with a critical 87 off 98 balls, enabling the Kiwis to cross the line with seven wickets and 15 balls in hand
"It's good fun batting with (Young)," he added.Â
"We've done it for a fair while now and we have a bit of fun, keep it lighthearted. But at the same time, we get stuck into it. If the competitive comes out, we back each other up. So it's cool, it's enjoyable.Â
"We both probably play different areas on the surface and use different options, which I think we can bounce off each other in ways of putting pressure on the opposition.
The result means the third ODI in Indore on Sunday will decide the series winner.
"We know how hard it is to win games over here in these conditions, especially against a world-class team like India and nice to do it in the true Blackcaps fashion of grit and fighting right to the end.
"It's really pleasing to see us compete on the world stage and tie up the series and it sets up an exciting one coming up in a few days' time now."
Listen to the full interview below:
