Ton-up Mitchell continues runfest against India

New Zealand middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell continued to make a strong impact whenever he faces India in ODI, especially in Indian conditions.

His latest performance came in the third ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore today, where he scored 137 runs off 131 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes. This became his highest ODI score, surpassing his previous best of 134, which had also come against India.

Mitchell’s innings marked his ninth ODI century and his fourth against India. It was also his fourth consecutive fifty-plus score and his second century in back-to-back matches against the same opposition. In the second ODI at Rajkot, he had scored an unbeaten 131 to help New Zealand chase down 285 and level the three-match series 1–1.

With the series tied, the Indore match served as the decider. India entered the game with a strong home record, having never lost an ODI at the venue or an ODI series against New Zealand in India.

New Zealand had a difficult start after being sent in to bat, losing both openers within the first seven balls. Mitchell then stabilised the innings, adding 53 runs for the third wicket with Will Young before Young was dismissed in the 13th over.

Glenn Phillips also struck hundred as New Zealand posted 337-8.

Mitchell reached his century off 106 balls, making it his third hundred in his last four ODI innings.

Mitchell’s overall ODI average is above 58, but it rises to over 78 when playing against India. He also scored two centuries against India during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup -- one in the league stage at Dharamsala and another in the semifinal -- though New Zealand lost both matches.