Daryl Mitchell's ton leads New Zealand to series-levelling win in second India ODI

RAJKOT: Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 131 eclipsed KL Rahul's century as New Zealand eased past India by seven wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series here at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday.

Put into bat first, the home side could accumulate 284/7 in their 50 overs despite Rahul's brisk century and captain Shubman Gill's anchoring half-century.

Rahul top-scored for India with a 92-ball 112, comprising 11 fours and a six, while Gill made a 56 off 53 deliveries with the help of nine fours and a six.

Besides them, none of the Indian batters could bat at a strike rate of a hundred, including their senior duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who made a scratchy 27 off 44 deliveries.

Kristian Clarke was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking three wickets for 56 runs in his eight overs, while Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes, Jayden Lennox and Michael Bracewell chipped in with one scalp apiece.

Set to chase a daunting 285-run target, the visitors comfortably struck the winning runs for the loss of just three wickets and 15 balls to spare, courtesy of Mitchell's monumental knock.

New Zealand had a contrasting start to their innings as they had lost both their openers, Devon Conway (16) and Henry Nicholls (10), inside 13 overs with just 46 runs on the board.

Following the early stutter, Mitchell joined Will Young in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to anchor New Zealand's pursuit with a marathon 162-run partnership for the third wicket, which culminated with the latter's dismissal in the 38th over.

Young played a pivotal role in New Zealand's successful run chase with 87 off 98 deliveries, laced with seven fours.

Mitchell, on the other hand, stood his ground firm and eventually steered New Zealand to glory with a match-winning 78-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Glenn Phillips, who made 32 not out from 25 deliveries.

Daryl Mitchell remained the top-scorer with an unbeaten 131 off 117 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and two sixes and was thus adjudged the Player of the Match.

For India, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav could take one wicket apiece.

The resounding victory helped New Zealand level the series against India at 1-1, with the third and final match scheduled to be played in Indore on Sunday.