Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot witness to a batting clinic on January 14, 2026, as New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell silenced a raucous Indian crowd in the second ODI. With the series on the line, Mitchell produced an innings of sheer resilience and tactical brilliance, steering the Black Caps toward a series-leveling victory. Chasing a competitive target of 285, the visitors found their hero in Mitchell, whose eighth career century guided the Kiwis to a 7 wicket victory.
Daryl Mitchell’s majestic ton anchors the New Zealand pursuit in second ODI
The defining moment of the afternoon arrived in the 42nd over. Facing a disciplined Harshit Rana, Mitchell nudged a delivery down to long-on for a single to reach his 100 off just 96 deliveries. The celebration was a picture of poise; Mitchell removed his helmet and raised his bat toward the dugout, acknowledging a dressing room that knew the weight of his contribution.
His innings was a masterclass in pacing an ODI chase. While the Indian bowlers managed to stifle the scoring early on—leaving the Kiwis at a precarious 46/2—Mitchell combined forces with Will Young (87 off 98) to forge a massive 162-run partnership for the third wicket. Mitchell’s knock was punctuated by eight boundaries and two towering sixes, showcasing his ability to switch gears from a consolidator to an aggressor. Even after Young fell to Kuldeep Yadav in the 38th over, Mitchell remained the immovable object, surviving a tense DRS review in the same over to ensure he stayed till the end.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Virat Kohli appreciating the Hundred for Daryl Mitchell ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cGxgskDMC2
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 14, 2026
Daryl Mitchell is top class Batsman . Best in the business right now.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/s70ufb7FcI
— Rohan (@247_BakaitiR) January 14, 2026
– 53 innings in ODIs.
– 56 Average.
– 8* Hundreds.
– 12 fifties.
Daryl Mitchell – The Monster in ODI Cricket. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/zLHI17l2HY
— Kanak Kumari (@KanakKu64995524) January 14, 2026
What a HUNDRED from the ever-reliable Kiwi, Daryl Mitchell 🇳🇿🔥
Pure class, calm under pressure, and a knock to remember. #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/75vU7rE4qE
— Ganesh 🇮🇳 (@GaneshVerse) January 14, 2026
Daryl Mitchell aka Travis Head pic.twitter.com/NksIKSYiqh
— रचित M 💛 (@rachit1m) January 14, 2026
What a brilliant ton from Daryl Mitchell. A hundred against India in India is always special for any batsman. It will prove a match winning knock too. Salute to him.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/SAlurM2dw4
— VIKASH KUMAR (@vkc1000) January 14, 2026
Daryl Mitchell – 131*(117) including 11 fours and 2 sixes. 🫡
Well played, Daryl Mitchell. 👏#DarylMitchell #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/sfCnxUxobf
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) January 14, 2026
DARYL MITCHELL – 131*(117) 😍
– A truly special knock on Indian soil. Many questioned New Zealand’s toss decision, but Daryl Mitchell had other ideas. A masterclass under pressure — an innings that will be remembered for years. pic.twitter.com/A3qhuVVJ4t
— Gyanu Gautam (@gyanudatt8) January 14, 2026
New Zealand trumping India on a slowish surface with a bowling attack thats lead by Michael Bracewell (41) ODI is a serious achievement.
Would be an interesting stat to see the sweep and reverse sweep % between both the teams.🧐 #INDvNZ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 14, 2026
Clinical chase from New Zealand and they level the ODI series 🌟#INDvsNZ #DarylMitchell pic.twitter.com/aBfyAYO212
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 14, 2026
Also WATCH: Harshit Rana castles Devon Conway with an absolute jaffa in 2nd ODI at Rajkot
New Zealand’s clinical finish levels the series 1-1 at Rajkot
Earlier in the day, India’s innings was a story of starts that failed to convert into match-winning totals. Shubman Gill (56) and KL Rahul (112)* were the standout performers, with Rahul playing a brilliant lone hand to guide India to 284/7. The New Zealand bowling unit, however, remained disciplined. Kristian Clarke was the pick of the bowlers, dismantling the Indian middle order—including the prized scalps of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—to finish with figures of 3/56.
Despite India’s late-innings surge fueled by Rahul’s unbeaten century, the total proved insufficient on a Rajkot surface that stayed true under the lights. The match flow favoured the visitors once the dew began to settle. The final assault was led by the finisher Glenn Phillips, who smashed a quickfire 32* off 25 balls, ensuring there were no late hiccups.
New Zealand reached the target of 286 with 15 balls to spare, ending the match at 286/3 in 47.3 overs. This comprehensive 7-wicket victory not only levels the series but also shifts the psychological advantage back to the Kiwis heading into the series finale. For India, the search for death-over consistency continues, while for New Zealand, Mitchell has once again proven why he is the backbone of their white-ball setup.
Also WATCH: KL Rahul celebrates memorable Rajkot ODI century with a special gesture for his daughter
