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Mitchell century inspires Blackcaps to ODI victory in India
Reuters • January 15th, 2026 6:00 am
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has scored a hundred in their ODI victory over India in Rajkot | Photo: AP
Daryl Mitchell has slammed an unbeaten 131 from 117 balls to lead the Blackcaps to a seven-wicket win over India in the second one-day international and level the three-match series at 1-1.
New Zealand won the toss and sent India in to bat on Wednesday, restricting the hosts to 284/7 in Rajkot, despite a hundred from KL Rahul, but the visitors chased down that target with 15 deliveries remaining to set up a series decider.
Mitchell, who has been in fine form in ODI cricket and scored 761 runs in 2025 at an average of 54.35, came in with New Zealand in a difficult position at 46/2.
India's KL Rahul celebrates his hundred, but it eventually proved in vain in Rajkot | Photo: AP
The 34-year-old quickly built a strong partnership with Will Young as the pair combined for 162 runs, with Mitchell being dropped on 80 by Prasidh Krishna before going on to notch his eighth ODI century.
"We haven't won here for a couple of years. Nice to get a win. I am just enjoying doing the job for the country," Mitchell said.
"Young is a class player, I love batting with him, we also have fun batting together. He enjoyed playing the spinners and using all his options."
Young (87) also came close to scoring a century before he top-edged a Kuldeep Yadav delivery and sent the ball looping into Nitish Kumar Reddy's hands.
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips get the job done, completing the win over India | Photo: AP
It was too little too late from India, though, as Mitchell and Glenn Phillips (32) took New Zealand over the finish line and helped them complete their highest-ever ODI run chase in India.
"It is a complete performance from us and proud of the team. We were very happy at the halfway point. We bowled very well. We were ready to chase anything, really," New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell said.
Earlier, Kristian Clarke had taken three decisive wickets to stall India's top-order, sending Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli, newly reinstalled as the world's No.1-ranked ODI batter, back to the dressing room.
KL Rahul was the cornerstone of India's innings as he struck an unbeaten 112 from 92 balls.
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He put together a 73-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (27) and added another 57 with Reddy (20) as he scored his eighth century and also recorded his highest score in the 50-over format.
"We did get a decent start with the ball, but they batted very well in the middle overs," India captain Shubman Gill said.
"In the first 10, 15 overs that we bowled, the ball was doing well. After that the wicket settled. But we could have been more brave, and taken more chances."
The decisive third match of the series will be played in Indore on Sunday, before the teams wrap up their preparations for next month's Twenty20 World Cup with a five-match T20I series.
