New Zealand delivered a composed and professional performance to defeat India by seven wickets in the second ODI at Rajkot, chasing down 285 with confidence and control. The visitors reached 286/3 in 47.3 overs, powered by a sensational unbeaten 131 from Daryl Mitchell, to level the three-match series 1-1.
While KL Rahul’s fighting century kept India competitive, the match ultimately belonged to New Zealand’s calm batting and disciplined middle-over control.
India’s Innings: KL Rahul Stands Tall Amid Middle-Order Stumbles
Asked to bat first on a good surface, India finished at 284/7 in 50 overs. The innings had promise early but lacked consistency through the middle overs, forcing KL Rahul to carry the responsibility almost alone.
Solid Opening, Sudden Collapse
India began positively. Rohit Sharma (24) and Shubman Gill (56) added 70 runs for the first wicket, setting a steady base. Gill looked fluent, mixing timing with intent, while Rohit played a supporting role.
However, the innings lost momentum quickly:
- Rohit fell at 70/1
- Gill followed at 99/2
- Shreyas Iyer (8) and Virat Kohli (23) were dismissed in quick succession
From 99/1, India slipped to 118/4, handing New Zealand complete control.
KL Rahul’s Masterclass Under Pressure
Walking in during a tense phase, KL Rahul played one of his most responsible ODI innings. His unbeaten 112 off 92 balls, featuring 11 fours and a six, was built on patience, smart rotation, and late acceleration.
Rahul stitched together crucial partnerships:
- 73 runs with Ravindra Jadeja
- 57 runs with Nitish Kumar Reddy
- A late push with the tail to push India past 280
Despite limited support, Rahul ensured India posted a defendable total.
New Zealand’s Bowling Effort
- Kristian Clarke: 3/56 – broke India’s top order
- Michael Bracewell: 10-1-34-1 – exceptional control
- Jayden Lennox: 10-0-42-1 – impressive consistency
- Jamieson and Foulkes chipped in with one wicket each
Bracewell’s spell, in particular, squeezed India during the middle overs.
New Zealand’s Chase: Calm Minds, Big Partnerships
Chasing 285, New Zealand never looked rattled. After early wickets, the visitors relied on temperament rather than aggression.
Early Losses, No Panic
- Devon Conway (16) fell early
- Henry Nicholls (10) struggled for fluency
At 46/2, India had a brief opening. But what followed changed the match completely.
Will Young & Daryl Mitchell Take Control
Will Young (87 off 98) anchored the innings beautifully, allowing Daryl Mitchell to settle. Together, they added a massive 162-run partnership, absorbing pressure and steadily pulling the game away from India.
Young played the role of stabilizer, while Mitchell gradually increased his strike rate once set.
Mitchell’s Match-Winning Century
Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, including 11 fours and 2 sixes, was a textbook ODI chase:
- No rash shots
- Excellent strike rotation
- Controlled aggression at the right time
Once Young departed at 208/3, the game was effectively sealed.
Phillips Finishes in Style
Glenn Phillips (32 off 25)* provided the final flourish, ensuring New Zealand crossed the target with 15 balls to spare.
India’s Bowling: Effort Without Control
India’s bowlers started well but couldn’t sustain pressure:
- Harshit Rana: 1/52
- Prasidh Krishna: 1/49
- Kuldeep Yadav: 1/82 (expensive)
- Siraj: Economical but wicketless
The lack of wickets during the Mitchell–Young stand proved decisive.
Key Turning Points
- India collapsing from 99/1 to 118/4
- Clarke’s triple strike in the middle overs
- Mitchell–Young partnership breaking India’s momentum
- Kuldeep’s expensive spell easing pressure for New Zealand
What This Means for the Series
With the series now tied 1-1, both teams head into the decider with confidence and concerns.
- India will look to address middle-order inconsistency
- New Zealand will draw belief from their controlled chase and Mitchell’s form
The final ODI promises a high-pressure contest with the series on the line.
Match Summary
India: 284/7 (KL Rahul 112*)
New Zealand: 286/3 (Daryl Mitchell 131*, Will Young 87)
Result: New Zealand won by 7 wickets
Series: Level 1-1