Daryl Mitchell scored 137 runs off 131 balls.

Daryl Mitchell scored 137 runs off 131 balls. Get the full scorecard, match highlights, and ball-by-ball analysis of his stunning century in the latest ODI clash

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Indore: In a high-stakes series decider at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell produced one of the finest ODI innings by a visiting batter on Indian soil. Walking in with his team in deep trouble, Mitchell anchored, accelerated, and eventually dominated the Indian bowling attack to score a magnificent 137 runs off 131 balls.

His knock, combined with a blistering century from Glenn Phillips, powered New Zealand to a formidable total of 337/8 in the 3rd ODI, challenging India to chase a massive target to seal the series.

The Context: Crisis at 58/3

The innings began under immense pressure. After India won the toss and elected to bowl, the New Zealand top order crumbled against the swinging ball. Openers Devon Conway (5) and Henry Nicholls (0) fell cheaply to Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, respectively. When Will Young departed for 30 in the 13th over, New Zealand was teetering at 58/3, and the Indian bowlers smelled blood.

It was at this precarious moment that Daryl Mitchell took center stage. Having already proven his mettle with an unbeaten 131* in the previous match in Rajkot, Mitchell carried his form into Indore, absorbing the early pressure before unleashing a wide array of strokes.

The Innings: Construction of a Classic

Mitchell’s innings was a textbook example of pacing. He started cautiously, respecting the good deliveries from Mohammed Siraj and the disciplined lines of Ravindra Jadeja. He rotated the strike effectively, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking without taking unnecessary risks during the middle overs.

As he settled in, Mitchell began to target the boundaries. He was particularly severe on the spinners, using his feet to disrupt their lengths. He reached his century in 106 balls, a milestone celebrated with a mix of relief and aggression by the Kiwi dugout.

Once past the hundred mark, Mitchell shifted gears. He dismantled the Indian attack in the death overs, striking the ball with immense power. His innings of 137 included 15 boundaries and 3 massive sixes, coming at a strike rate of 104.58. By the time he was dismissed in the 45th over—caught by Kuldeep Yadav off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj—he had completely changed the complexion of the game.

The Partnership: The Mitchell-Phillips Show

While Mitchell provided the stability, it was his partnership with Glenn Phillips that took the game away from India. Joining forces at 58/3, the duo stitched together a record-breaking 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

This stand was a study in contrasting styles working in harmony. While Mitchell played the role of the steady accumulator who could hit big when needed, Phillips was the aggressor from the get-go. Phillips scored a rapid 106 off 88 balls, reaching his own century shortly before Mitchell’s dismissal.

This partnership marked a historic moment: it was the first time two New Zealand batters scored centuries in the same ODI innings against India. Their collaboration frustrated the Indian captain Shubman Gill, who rotated his bowlers in vain as the pair manipulated the field placements with ease.

Impact on the Match

Mitchell’s 137 was not just about the runs; it was about the psychological blow it dealt to the opposition. Holkar Stadium is known for being a batting paradise with small boundaries, but a total of 337 is daunting in any conditions. Mitchell ensuring that New Zealand batted deep meant that even after he and Phillips fell in quick succession, the lower order could swing comfortably to add crucial bonus runs.

The innings ended with New Zealand posting 337/8, a total that looked impossible when they were three wickets down inside the first 15 overs.

Conclusion

Daryl Mitchell has arguably established himself as the backbone of this New Zealand ODI setup. His back-to-back centuries in this series—131* in Rajkot and 137 in Indore—demonstrate a rare consistency and hunger for big runs. Regardless of the final match result, this innings will be remembered as a defiant, classy, and match-defining performance that gave New Zealand a fighting chance to claim a historic series victory in India.

Daryl Mitchell scored 137 runs off 131 balls.

• Daryl Mitchell: 137 (131 balls, 15×4, 3×6)

• Glenn Phillips: 106 (88 balls, 9×4, 3×6)

• Partnership: 219 runs (4th Wicket)

• Team Total: 337/8 (50 Overs)