The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot is witnessing a batting clinic on 14 January 2026. of New Zealand Daryl Mitchell silenced the boisterous Indian crowd in the second ODI. With the series on the line, Mitchell produced sheer grit and tactical brilliance to guide the Black Caps to a series-clinching victory. Chasing a competitive target of 285, the visitors found their hero in Mitchell, who led the Kiwis to a 7-wicket win in his eighth career.
Daryl Mitchell’s superb ton anchors New Zealand’s chase in the second ODI
The decisive moment of the day came in the 42nd minute. Disciplined face Harshit RanaMitchell dropped one delivery to long-on to reach his 100 in just 96 deliveries. The feast was a picture of humility; Mitchell removed his helmet and raised his bat toward the dugout, acknowledging a locker room that knew the weight of his contribution.
His innings was a masterclass in accelerating the ODI chase. Although the Indian bowlers managed to stifle the score early – leaving the Kiwis at a dangerous 46/2 – Mitchell rallied. Will Young (87 off 98) to build a massive 162-run partnership for the third wicket. Mitchell’s knock was punctuated by eight boundaries and two powerful sixes, showcasing his ability to shift gears from consolidator to aggressor. Even after Young went down Kuldeep Yadav On 38, Mitchell remained an immovable object and survived a tense DRS review at the same time to ensure he stayed on till the end.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Virat Kohli rates Hundreds for Daryl Mitchell ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cGxgskDMC2
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 14, 2026
Daryl Mitchell is a top class Batsman. The best in the business right now.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/s70ufb7FcI
— Rohan (@247_BakaitiR) January 14, 2026
– 53 innings in ODIs.
– 56 Medium.
– 8* Hundreds.
– 12 fifty.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, composure under pressure and a tattoo to remember. #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/75vU7rE4qE— Ganesh 🇮🇳 (@GaneshVerse) January 14, 2026
Daryl Mitchell aka Travis Head pic.twitter.com/NksIKSYiqh
— Rachit M 💛 (@rachit1m) January 14, 2026
What a brilliant tone from Daryl Mitchell. A hundred against India in India is always special for any batsman. This will prove the victory of the match. Peace be upon him.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/SAlurM2dw4
— VIKASH KUMAR (@vkc1000) January 14, 2026
Daryl Mitchell – 131*(117), including 11 fours and 2 sixes. 🫡
Well done, Daryl Mitchell. 👏#DarylMitchell #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/sfCnxUxobf
— Sabir Zafar (@Sabir_Saabu01) January 14, 2026
DARRYL MITCHELL – 131*(117) 😍
– A truly special strike on Indian soil. Many questioned New Zealand’s decision to bowl, but Daryl Mitchell had other ideas. A master class under pressure – a shot that will be remembered for years. pic.twitter.com/A3qhuVVJ4t
— Gyan Gautam (@gyanudatt8) January 14, 2026
Michael Bracewell (41) ODI bowling attack led by New Zealand beating India on a slow surface is a serious achievement.
It would be an interesting statistic to see the percentage of sweeps and reverse sweeps between both teams.🧐 #INDvNZ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 14, 2026
Clinical follow-up 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 bowls Devon Conway with an absolute jaffa in the 2nd ODI at Rajkot
A clinical finish from New Zealand levels the series at 1-1 in Rajkot
Earlier in the day, India’s innings was a story of starts that failed to translate into match-winning finishes. Shubman Gill (56) and KL Rahul (112)* Rahul was the standout performer with a brilliant one-handed performance to guide India to 284/7. And the New Zealand bowling unit remained disciplined. Christian Clarke he was the pick of the bowlers, demolishing the Indian middle order, including the prized scalp. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli— ending with the figures 3/56.
India’s total was insufficient on the Rajkot surface, which remained true under lights, despite late innings linked to Rahul’s unbeaten century. As the dew began to settle, the tide of the match turned in favor of the visitors. The final attack was led by the finisher Glenn PhillipsA quickfire 32* from 25 balls ensured there were no late hiccups.
New Zealand reached their target of 286 with 15 balls to spare and ended the match at 286/3 in 47.3 overs. This comprehensive 7-wicket win not only levels the series but also gives the psychological advantage back to the Kiwis heading into the series finale. For India, the search for consistency in the death continues, while for New Zealand, Mitchell proved once again why he is the backbone of their white-ball set-up.
Also WATCH: KL Rahul celebrates his memorable Rajkot ODI century with a special gesture for his daughter
