NEW DELHI: Daryl Mitchell is riding the form of his life and he showed it once again with another ton against India. It was his second consecutive hundred in this series and a reminder of the level he is operating at right now.

This was Mitchell’s third century in his last four innings, with one more score in the 80s. Those returns highlight the level he has reached in ODI cricket and explain why he is currently rated as the world’s No. 2 batter.

A century of belief: Michael Bracewell targets historic ODI series win in India

Daryl Mitchell's last 7 ODI Innings vs India: 130, 134, 17, 63, 84, 131*, 100*

With this the right hander now stands just behind AB de Villiers with most ODI hundreds against India in India.

In another milestone, Mitchell now has highest ODI average (Minimum 2000 runs) going past legendary Virat Kohli.

Highest Batting Averages in ODI Cricket (Minimum 2000 Runs)

--Daryl Mitchell – 58.95* (2,657 runs)
--Virat Kohli – 58.45 (14,673 runs)
--Shubman Gill – 56.34 (2,930 runs)
--Babar Azam – 53.72 (6,501 runs)
--Michael Bevan – 53.58 (6,912 runs)

Most 100s vs IND in India (ODIs)

--AB de Villiers (11 inngs) - 5
--Daryl Mitchell (8 inngs)*- 4

Moreover, he has also joint-most centuries for a New Zealand batter alongside Nathan Astle in India.

Most ODI Centuries for New Zealand vs India

--Nathan Astle – 5 (29 innings)
--Daryl Mitchell – 4 (11 innings)*
--Chris Cairns – 3 (28 innings)
--Ross Taylor – 3 (34 innings)

A remarkable innings under pressure

New Zealand were in trouble early, losing two wickets for just five runs. Mitchell walked in at a difficult moment but showed his trademark composure, absorbing the pressure and keeping the Indian bowlers under control while scoring at a healthy rate.

Mitchell negotiated the Powerplay phase beautifully. Calm and composed, he found boundaries with precision, focused on timing rather than power, and rotated the strike smartly to settle the innings.

He carried his good touch into the middle overs, where he once again targeted the spinners effectively. Using his feet well and picking his shots.

Mitchell brought up his century off 106 deliveries. The innings included 10 fours and two sixes, a measured and controlled knock that once again highlighted his consistency and class at the highest level.