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The Rajkot Redemption: Daryl Mitchell’s Magnum Opus Levels the Series
By Cricket Correspondent | January 14, 2026
The Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot has long been known as a graveyard for bowlers and a paradise for those who carry the willow. However, on Wednesday night, it became the stage for one of the most clinical and heart-stopping run chases in the history of New Zealand’s subcontinental tours. In a match that ebbed and flowed with the intensity of a high-stakes thriller, the Black Caps pulled off a heist that will be talked about for years to come, chasing down a formidable 285-run target to defeat India by 7 wickets.
With this victory, the series is locked at 1-1, turning the upcoming clash in Indore into a virtual final. For New Zealand, this wasn't just a win; it was a statement of intent—a declaration that they can look the Indian spin giants in the eye and come out on top.
"What happened in yesterday's atch? First read our 1st ODI Match Highlights article and then watch this preview: [Read Here]"
Section I: The Rahul Rescue Act
When Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to field, citing the possibility of dew later in the evening, Shubman Gill expressed a quiet confidence. The Indian skipper knew the surface was a "belter," but the initial phase of the game proved that the New Zealand pacers had done their homework.
The opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Gill looked promising, reaching 57/0 within the first 10 overs. Rohit, playing with his usual elegance, seemed set for a big one before a moment of lapse against the medium pace of Kristian Clarke saw him hole out to mid-off. That wicket acted as a catalyst for a mini-collapse. Within the span of 45 minutes, India slipped from a comfortable 70/1 to a precarious 118/4. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer fell in quick succession, leaving the Rajkot crowd in stunned silence.
Enter KL Rahul. In what can only be described as a masterclass in ODI anchoring, Rahul played with a level of maturity that has become his hallmark in the middle order. He didn't just survive; he thrived. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul rebuilt the innings brick by brick. His unbeaten 112 off 92 balls was a mixture of soft hands and explosive finishes. By the time the 50th over concluded, India had posted 284/7—a total that most experts believed was 15 runs above par on this surface.
Key Stats: India’s Innings
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s | Strike Rate |
| KL Rahul | 112* | 92 | 11/1 | 121.74 |
| Shubman Gill | 56 | 53 | 7/0 | 105.66 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 27 | 34 | 2/0 | 79.41 |
Section II: The Calm Before the Storm
The Indian bowling attack started the second half with venom. Harshit Rana, the young sensation, looked particularly dangerous with the new ball. He consistently hit the 140 kph mark, troubling Devon Conway with late swing. When Conway edged one to first slip, and Henry Nicholls followed shortly after, the scoreboard read a dismal 46/2.
At that moment, the win-probability meters favored India at nearly 85%. The required run rate was climbing toward 6.5, and the spinners—Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja—were being introduced to the attack. On paper, it was India’s game to lose. But cricket is not played on paper.
Daryl Mitchell and Will Young came together with a mountain to climb. Their approach was not to attack immediately but to "disarm" the Indian spinners through rotation. Mitchell, in particular, used his long reach to smother the spin of Kuldeep, while Young played the role of the steady foil.
Section III: The Daryl Mitchell Masterclass
What followed was a partnership that broke the spirit of the Indian fielding unit. Mitchell and Young added 162 runs for the third wicket. It was a partnership built on trust and tactical intelligence.
The turning point of the entire match occurred in the 36th over. Mitchell, batting on 82, mistimed a lofted drive off Kuldeep Yadav. The ball flew toward long-off, where Prasidh Krishna was stationed. In a moment that will haunt Krishna for the rest of the tour, the ball slipped through his fingers and touched the grass. The reprieve was all Mitchell needed. He shifted gears from "accumulator" to "assassin."
Mitchell’s century was his 8th in ODI cricket and arguably his finest. His ability to hit straight over the bowler’s head and his deft reverse-sweeps forced Shubman Gill to constantly tinker with the field. By the time Will Young fell for a brilliant 87, New Zealand needed less than 80 runs with 7 wickets in hand. The result was no longer in doubt; it was just a matter of the margin.
The Finishing Flourish
The way Mitchell ended the game was the "cherry on top." With a scoop shot that saw him fall to the ground while the ball raced to the fine-leg boundary, he sealed a 7-wicket victory. His final score of 131* off 117 balls stands as the highest individual score by a New Zealander in a successful ODI chase in India.
Section IV: Tactical Post-Mortem - Why India Lost
While the headlines will rightly belong to Mitchell, India’s leadership will have some soul-searching to do before Indore.
- The Spin Drought: For the first time in a long while, Kuldeep Yadav looked toothless in the middle overs. He conceded 82 runs in his 10 overs, a rarity for the world-class chinaman. The New Zealand batters stayed back in the crease and played him late, neutralizing his googly.
- Fielding Lapses: In a game of small margins, India dropped two catches and missed a clear run-out opportunity. At the international level, giving a player like Daryl Mitchell a second life is equivalent to conceding the game.
- The Absence of a Sixth Bowler: With Nitish Kumar Reddy playing as the seam-bowling all-rounder, India lacked a defensive spin option when the primary spinners were being hammered. The pace of the game was dictated entirely by the batters.
Section V: Looking Ahead to Indore (The Decider)
The circus now moves to Indore. The Holkar Stadium is historically a "high-scoring" venue with short boundaries. For India, the return of Jasprit Bumrah (if fit) could be the game-changer they need. For New Zealand, the goal is simple: maintain the momentum.
Final Thoughts:
This match proved that the gap between India and New Zealand in white-ball cricket is non-existent. It was a contest of skill, temperament, and ultimately, the will to win. Daryl Mitchell has etched his name into Rajkot folklore, but the story of 2026 is only just beginning.
How did you like the 2nd Odi match held in Rajkot today (14 January 2026), please tell in the comment section.
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Stat Box: Records Broken in Rajkot
- New Zealand’s Highest Chase in India: 286 runs (Previously 281 in Mumbai, 2017).
- Most ODI Centuries vs India by a Kiwi: Daryl Mitchell (3).
- Highest 3rd Wicket Stand in Rajkot: Mitchell & Young (162).
Match Result & Series Status
- Who won the 2nd ODI today? New Zealand won the match by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare. They successfully chased down India's target of 285 at the Rajkot stadium.
- What is the current status of the IND vs NZ series? The three-match ODI series is now level at 1-1. India won the first match, but New Zealand’s victory today has pushed the series to a decisive final game.
- Who was the Player of the Match? Daryl Mitchell was awarded the Player of the Match for his masterful unbeaten 131 off 117 balls*.
Top Performers & Records
- Who scored a century for India today? KL Rahul played a brilliant anchoring knock, scoring 112 off 92 balls*. It was his 8th ODI century and his first hundred at the Rajkot venue.
- What was the biggest partnership of the match? The 162-run stand between Daryl Mitchell and Will Young (87) for the third wicket was the defining partnership that secured the game for the Black Caps.
- Did New Zealand break any records today? Yes. This was New Zealand's highest-ever successful run chase in ODIs on Indian soil, surpassing their previous best of 281 in 2017.
Turning Points & Key Moments
- What was the major turning point in the second innings? The major turning point was the dropped catch of Daryl Mitchell when he was on 82. Prasidh Krishna missed a catch off Kuldeep Yadav's bowling, allowing Mitchell to go on and finish the game.
- How did the Indian spinners perform? It was a tough day for the spinners. Kuldeep Yadav went for 82 runs in his 10 overs, while Ravindra Jadeja struggled to find breakthroughs in the middle overs.
The Decider (3rd ODI)
- When and where is the series finale? The 3rd ODI will be played on Saturday, January 18, 2026, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
- What time does the final match start? The match starts at 1:30 PM IST (8:00 AM GMT).
- Is Indore a high-scoring ground? Yes, Holkar Stadium is famous for its very short boundaries and flat deck. It is expected to be another high-scoring encounter.
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