New Zealand delivered a masterclass in adapting to Indian conditions on Wednesday, securing a convincing seven-wicket victory over India at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The win levels the three-match ODI series at 1-1, setting up an exciting decider in Indore this Sunday.
Mitchell's Brilliance Overshadows Rahul's Fight
Daryl Mitchell played an unforgettable innings, remaining unbeaten on 131 runs from just 117 deliveries. His performance completely overshadowed KL Rahul's fighting century for India. Mitchell displayed exceptional skill against spin bowling, using multiple sweep shots to dominate the Indian attack. His third ODI hundred against India proved decisive in the chase.
New Zealand's Chase Execution
Chasing a target of 285 runs, New Zealand reached 286 for three in just 47.3 overs. The visitors showed remarkable composure on a slow surface that troubled the Indian batsmen earlier in the day. Will Young provided excellent support with a fluent 87 off 98 balls, forming a crucial 162-run partnership with Mitchell for the second wicket.
The turning point came when Prasidh Krishna dropped Mitchell on 80 runs. That missed opportunity proved costly as the New Zealand batter capitalized fully, taking the game away from India with his aggressive stroke play.
India's Innings Struggles
India posted 284 for seven in their 50 overs, largely thanks to KL Rahul's superb unbeaten 112 from just 91 balls. Rahul held the innings together after India lost momentum following a steady start. The team slipped from 99 for one to 118 for four, losing key wickets at regular intervals.
Key Indian Performances
Captain Shubman Gill scored 56 runs but fell to a mistimed pull shot. Virat Kohli managed only 23 runs before being bowled by what appeared to be an innocuous delivery. Shreyas Iyer also departed cheaply, putting pressure on the middle order.
Ravindra Jadeja contributed 27 runs in a 73-run partnership with Rahul, but the Indian total ultimately proved insufficient against New Zealand's disciplined chase.
Bowling Contrasts Tell the Story
The match highlighted significant differences in how both teams handled the slow Rajkot pitch. New Zealand's slower bowlers controlled the middle overs effectively, with debutant left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox impressing with figures of 1 for 42 from his 10 overs. Michael Bracewell supported well with 1 for 34.
In contrast, India's spinners struggled on the gripping surface. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja together conceded 126 runs from just 18 overs while managing only one wicket between them. This bowling disparity proved crucial in determining the match outcome.
Early Pressure Absorbed
New Zealand also showed resilience against India's new ball attack. Harshit Rana removed Devon Conway early, but the visitors absorbed the pressure well. Mohammed Siraj created chances but couldn't break through at critical moments.
Looking Ahead to the Decider
With the series now perfectly balanced at 1-1, both teams will prepare for the final ODI in Indore on Sunday. India will need to address their middle-order batting concerns and find better ways to handle slow pitches. New Zealand will aim to maintain their excellent adaptation to Indian conditions and secure a series victory away from home.
The Rajkot match demonstrated that New Zealand can compete effectively in Indian conditions, outplaying the hosts in key departments. Their better execution of plans and superior adaptation to the pitch conditions made the difference in this crucial encounter.
