Table of Contents

NEW DELHI: Indian spinners were once again outdone on home soil as KL Rahul’s unbeaten hundred was overshadowed by a magnificent 131 not out from Daryl Mitchell, helping New Zealand level the three-match ODI series 1-1 with a seven-wicket victory in the second ODI on Wednesday.

New Zealand not only adjusted better but also executed their plans more effectively than India on a slow surface at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. Despite Rahul’s classy 112 not out off 91 balls, featuring nine fours and a six, the hosts were restricted to 284 for 7. The visitors chased down the target in 47.3 overs, finishing at 286 for 3.

The series-deciding third ODI will be played in Indore on Sunday.

Mitchell, Young boss the chase

Will Young and Daryl Mitchell, who were also key figures in New Zealand’s 3-0 Test series win in India on their previous tour, batted with composure and clarity even as the required rate hovered above six an over.

The duo ticked along at just over five runs per over during their second-wicket stand, adding 162 runs off 152 deliveries, and there were no late stumbles to halt New Zealand’s smooth chase.

Young’s steady 87 off 98 balls, which included seven fours, was perfectly complemented by Mitchell’s fluent strokeplay. Mitchell showcased an array of sweeps and inventive shots to register his third ODI century against India and his eighth overall, remaining unbeaten on 131 from 117 balls with 11 fours and two sixes.

Spin concerns resurface for India

New Zealand’s win in a 50-over contest once again highlighted a growing concern for India, with their spin attack being outperformed at home, an issue that has largely troubled them in Tests over the past two years.

Debutant left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, brought in as a replacement for Mitchell Santner, bowled with control and discipline, returning figures of 10-0-42-1. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav struggled to find rhythm, conceding 82 runs in his 10 overs, often bowling short and without flight despite repeated instructions from Rahul behind the stumps.

When Kuldeep finally tossed one up and induced a mistimed shot, Prasidh Krishna dropped a straightforward catch at long-on in the 36th over, handing Mitchell a lifeline on 80.

Kuldeep eventually ended the third-wicket partnership by dismissing Young, while Mohammed Siraj appeared to trap Mitchell lbw soon after. However, the decision was overturned on review due to an inside edge.

Michael Bracewell also chipped in with a tidy spell of 1 for 34 from 10 overs, as New Zealand’s spinners collectively conceded just 89 runs for two wickets in 23 overs, including Glenn Phillips’ economical 3-0-13-0.

In comparison, Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja combined to give away 126 runs from their 18 overs, with Jadeja finishing wicketless at 8-0-44-0.

New Zealand also stood firm against the Indian pacers early on. Harshit Rana and Siraj bowled with pace and purpose to apply pressure, restricting the visitors to 34 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.

Rana, in particular, asked plenty of questions and struck early by knocking back Devon Conway’s off-stump after the opener had struck three early boundaries.

Rahul’s lone resistance for India

Earlier, KL Rahul held together a faltering Indian innings on a sluggish pitch with a determined and high-quality hundred.

Rahul’s unbeaten 112 off 92 balls, featuring 11 fours and two sixes, anchored the innings as he stitched together crucial partnerships in the latter half, wresting back some control after New Zealand had ripped through India’s top order.

The visitors tightened their grip as India slipped from 99 for 1 to 118 for 4 before the halfway stage.

Captain Shubman Gill was the other notable contributor, scoring 56 off 53 balls to register his second half-century in as many matches.

However, brief lapses proved costly for India’s leadership group. Gill, who had adapted well to the conditions with nine fours and a six, misread a slower short ball from Kyle Jamieson and pulled it straight to Mitchell at midwicket.

Shreyas Iyer departed cheaply for eight, hitting a straightforward catch off Clarke to Bracewell at mid-off.

The festive atmosphere at the stadium fell silent when an innocuous delivery outside off-stump took a thick inside edge and crashed into Virat Kohli’s middle stump. Kohli, who had started with a first-ball four, was dismissed for 23 as regular wickets at the other end disrupted his rhythm.

With India searching for stability, local favourite Ravindra Jadeja walked in to loud cheers and played a supporting role in a vital 73-run stand for the fifth wicket with Rahul.

(With PTI Inputs)