Daryl Mitchell Continues ODI Dominance Over India
Daryl Mitchell delivered another masterclass against India on Sunday. His brilliant century powered New Zealand to a challenging total of 338 runs at Indore's Holkar Cricket Stadium. The third and final ODI saw the series perfectly balanced at 1-1 before this crucial match.
Mitchell's Staggering Record Against India
Mitchell's performance was not an isolated incident. His record against the Men in Blue is truly remarkable. Among batters with at least 500 ODI runs against India, Mitchell now boasts the highest average.
- 74.1 - Daryl Mitchell
- 71.0 - George Bailey
- 62.6 - Gary Kirsten
- 61.4 - Jacques Kallis
- 59.9 - Usman Khawaja
This consistent excellence has made Mitchell a recurring nightmare for Indian bowlers. His dominance was on full display once again during this decisive encounter.
New Zealand's Rocky Start and Recovery
The Black Caps faced early trouble after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Arshdeep Singh struck in the very first over, clean bowling Henry Nicholls for a golden duck. Harshit Rana then removed Devon Conway in the next over, leaving New Zealand at 27 for 2 after just five overs.
Will Young joined Mitchell to stabilize the innings. They took the score to 47 for 2 after ten overs, but Rana struck again in the 12th over. Young departed for 30 runs after Ravindra Jadeja took a spectacular catch at backward point.
Mitchell remained unfazed by the wickets falling around him. He reached his fourth consecutive ODI fifty against India by the end of the 21st over. This achievement brought him close to Kane Williamson's record of five consecutive fifties in the ongoing series.
The Mitchell-Phillips Partnership Flourishes
New Zealand crossed the 150-run mark in the 29th over. Glenn Phillips then joined Mitchell and began finding his rhythm. During the 33rd over, Phillips reached his first fifty against India in ten innings.
Mitchell reached his ninth ODI century in just 106 balls during the 36th over. This was his third century in his last four innings and his second in this series against India. The partnership between Mitchell and Phillips grew stronger with each passing over.
Phillips completed his second ODI century in just 83 balls. This marked a historic moment - the first time two New Zealand batters scored centuries in the same ODI innings against India. Their partnership eventually reached 180 runs for the fourth wicket.
Late Wickets and Final Total
Arshdeep Singh finally broke the dangerous partnership in the 44th over. Phillips departed after scoring 106 runs from 88 deliveries. Mitchell continued his assault before finally falling for 137 runs from 131 balls. His innings included 15 boundaries and three sixes.
Despite losing late wickets, Michael Bracewell played a crucial cameo. His unbeaten 28 runs from just 18 deliveries helped New Zealand finish at 337 for 8 in their 50 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were the most successful Indian bowlers, taking three wickets each.
Mitchell's Place in Record Books
Mitchell's performance in this series has been extraordinary. His 352 runs in the three-match bilateral series against India places him among elite company.
- 360 - Babar Azam vs West Indies, 2016 (UAE)
- 360 - Shubman Gill vs New Zealand, 2023 (Home)
- 352 - Daryl Mitchell vs India, 2026 (Away)
- 349 - Imrul Kayes vs Zimbabwe, 2028 (Home)
- 346 - Pathum Nissanka vs Afghanistan, 2024 (Home)
Mitchell's numbers against India tell a story of sustained excellence. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure make him one of the most challenging opponents India has faced in recent ODI cricket. The New Zealand batter has developed a particular knack for rising to the occasion against the Men in Blue.
As India prepares to chase 338 runs to win the series, they must find answers to the Mitchell puzzle. His dominance across multiple matches suggests this is more than just good form - it's a pattern of success that Indian bowlers will need to study carefully for future encounters.
