Mitchell’s 131 Sinks India as New Zealand Win the 2nd ODI, Series Level 1-1

Indian spinners were out-bowled on home turf once again as KL Rahul’s unbeaten century was eclipsed by Daryl Mitchell’s splendid 131 not out, powering New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India in the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday. The victory helped the visitors level the three-match series 1-1, while also registering New Zealand’s highest successful ODI chase in India.

On a sluggish wicket, India posted 284 for 7 in their 50 overs despite Rahul’s gritty 112 not out off 91 balls, an innings that made him the first Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century against New Zealand and also the first Indian batter to score a hundred at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. Shubman Gill played a commanding knock of 56 off 53 balls, but India lost momentum midway as they slipped from 99 for one to 118 for four, losing Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession.

Gill, who struck nine fours and a six, was dismissed after misreading a slower short delivery from Kyle Jamieson and pulling straight to midwicket. Iyer fell for 8 when he hit one straight to mid-off, and Kohli’s 23 ended in disappointment when an outside-off delivery took an inside edge and crashed into his middle stump, silencing the festive crowd. Rahul then rebuilt the innings steadily, forging crucial partnerships in the second half, including a 73-run stand with local favourite Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 27.

New Zealand responded calmly in the chase, finishing at 286 for 3 in 47.3 overs. Will Young and Mitchell stitched together a match-defining second-wicket stand of 162 runs off 152 balls, displaying control even as the required rate hovered above six. Young scored 87 off 98 balls with seven fours before falling, while Mitchell produced a full range of sweep shots and controlled aggression to score 131 not out off 117 balls with 11 fours and two sixes, completing his third ODI century against India and eighth overall.

India began strongly with the new ball as Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj built pressure early, reducing New Zealand to 34 for 1 after the powerplay. Rana also dismantled Devon Conway’s off-stump after the batter struck three early fours. However, India’s inability to control the middle overs proved costly, with Kuldeep Yadav leaking runs and failing to consistently flight the ball despite repeated signals from Rahul behind the stumps. A crucial moment came when Prasidh Krishna dropped a regulation long-on catch in the 36th over, offering Mitchell a lifeline on 80, and the batter made India pay.

Kuldeep eventually dismissed Young, and Siraj had Mitchell trapped leg-before soon after, but the decision was overturned through DRS due to an inside edge. New Zealand’s spinners also played an important role earlier, as debutant left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox returned a tight 10-0-42-1, while Michael Bracewell kept it economical with 1-34, underlining how the visitors adapted better to the conditions than India.

The series-deciding third ODI will be played in Indore on Sunday, where India will look to address their middle-overs bowling issues, especially against well-set batters, as New Zealand head into the decider high on confidence.