New Zealand’s Historic Triumph in Rajkot: Daryl Mitchell’s Explosive Century Ends 9-Year Jinx as KL Rahul’s Heroics Go in Vain

The Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot witnessed a historic cricketing spectacle as New Zealand staged a spectacular comeback to defeat India by 7 wickets in the second ODI on Friday. By chasing down a challenging target of 285, the Kiwis have leveled the 3-match series 1-1. This victory is monumental for the Black Caps, as it marks their first ODI win on Indian soil in 9 years. Since 2017, New Zealand had suffered eight consecutive defeats in India, but the jinx was finally broken on the flat tracks of Rajkot.

Daryl Mitchell’s Masterclass: An Unbeaten 131 to Seal the Chase

The undisputed architect of New Zealand’s victory was the versatile all-rounder Daryl Mitchell. Walking in under pressure, Mitchell played an innings of a lifetime, scoring his 8th ODI century. His calculated aggression and ability to rotate the strike kept the Indian bowlers at bay throughout the second half of the match.

The Daryl Mitchell century in Rajkot was more than just a personal milestone; it was a clinical exhibition of chasing in subcontinental conditions. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 131 runs*, guiding his team home with 15 balls to spare. He found a perfect ally in opener Will Young (87), and together they shared a massive 162-run partnership for the third wicket. This stand effectively drained the energy out of the Indian fielders and ensured that the visitors achieved their highest-ever successful run chase in India.

KL Rahul’s Century in Vain: India’s Middle-Order Stagnation

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat, India posted a respectable total of 284/7, primarily thanks to a magnificent century from KL Rahul. Returning to form, Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 112 runs*. His knock was a mix of classic drives and innovative shots, providing the backbone for the Indian total.

However, the KL Rahul century in vain became the talking point after the match. Despite his individual brilliance, India’s scoring rate dipped significantly during the middle overs. Between the 11th and 40th overs, India managed only 143 runs. This lack of urgency during the middle phase meant that India finished 20-30 runs short of what could have been a winning total. The slow approach of the other batters put too much pressure on the bowlers to defend a sub-300 score on a batting-friendly Rajkot deck.

The Rajkot Jinx: India’s Poor Track Record Continues

The Niranjan Shah Stadium (formerly Khandheri Stadium) continues to be an “unlucky” ground for the Men in Blue. With this defeat, India’s win percentage at this venue in ODIs has dropped to a meager 20%.

• Shattered Trend: In the previous four ODIs played at this venue, the team batting first had always won. New Zealand became the first team to successfully chase a target in Rajkot, rewriting the stadium’s history.
• Home Disadvantage: India has now lost 4 out of the 5 ODIs played at this stadium, a statistic that will surely concern the team management ahead of future home assignments.

Bowling Woes: Indian Attack Fails to Break Partnerships

India’s bowling department struggled to find breakthroughs when it mattered most. While the new ball showed some movement, the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel failed to contain Mitchell and Young. The Kiwi batters used their feet well against the spinners and capitalized on the dew factor that made the ball difficult to grip in the later stages of the evening. The inability to break the century-plus stand between Mitchell and Young was the primary reason for India’s downfall in the Rajkot ODI Highlights.

Series Decider: The Road to the Third ODI

With the series tied at 1-1, the third and final ODI has now turned into a “virtual final.” The momentum has shifted toward the visitors, who will be high on confidence after breaking their decade-long drought. For India, the focus will be on addressing the scoring rate in the middle overs and finding more venom in their bowling attack.

• Match Impact: New Zealand’s win keeps their hopes alive for a first-ever ODI series win in India.
• Key Battle: The upcoming clash will likely be a battle between India’s top order and the relentless consistency of Daryl Mitchell.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Team India

The defeat in Rajkot serves as a reminder that no target is safe against a determined New Zealand side. While KL Rahul’s return to form is a massive positive, the collective failure to accelerate and the lack of clinical bowling are areas that need immediate attention. As the teams head to the final showdown, the pressure is on the hosts to defend their fortress.

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