Daryl Mitchell's Century Leads New Zealand to Victory Against India in Second ODI
Mitchell Reflects on Match-Winning Performance
Following his remarkable unbeaten century in the second ODI against India, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell shared insights on his contribution to the team's success. During the post-match presentation, he emphasized the importance of adapting to various situations and expressed his enjoyment of batting alongside Will Young against spin bowlers. "Winning feels great, especially since we haven't secured a victory here in a couple of years. I take pride in performing for my country; every match is a privilege. Batting with Young is a joy; we have fun together, and he effectively handled the spinners. It was crucial to secure a significant win. Regarding Kuldeep Yadav, I consider him one of the world's top bowlers, capable of turning the ball both ways. Adapting to his bowling was essential, and my role is to capitalize on opportunities when I get in," Mitchell stated, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Michael Bracewell Praises Team's Effort
New Zealand's captain, Michael Bracewell, expressed pride in his team's performance after a successful chase. He described it as a quintessential Kiwi display, ready to tackle any challenge. "This was a complete team effort, and I am proud of everyone. We felt confident at the halfway mark. Our bowling was exceptional, showcasing a typical Kiwi approach. The players adapted well and handled the pressure effectively. Daryl and Young took control of the game. The batters assessed the conditions brilliantly, and we pride ourselves on our adaptability. Our debutant bowler also performed admirably, especially in challenging conditions in India," Bracewell remarked.
Match Summary
India's Innings
India set a challenging target of 284 runs, scoring 284/7 in their allotted 50 overs after opting to bat first. Captain Shubman Gill contributed 56 runs from 53 balls, hitting nine fours and one six. Rohit Sharma added 24 runs off 38 balls, while Virat Kohli scored 23 runs from 29 balls. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul excelled with an unbeaten 112 runs off 92 balls, including 11 fours and one six. For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson (1/70), Zakary Foulkes (1/67), Kristian Clarke (3/56), Jayden Lennox (1/42), and Michael Bracewell (1/34) took wickets.
New Zealand's Chase
In pursuit of 285 runs, Will Young delivered an impressive performance, scoring 87 runs off 98 balls, featuring seven fours. He formed a crucial 162-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell, who secured the match with an unbeaten 131 runs off 117 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes. New Zealand achieved their highest successful ODI chase in India, winning by seven wickets and leveling the three-match ODI series at 1-1. For India, Harshit Rana (1/52), Prasidh Krishna (1/49), and Kuldeep Yadav (1/82) were among the wicket-takers.