New Zealand pulled off a stunning turnaround in the third ODI, romping to a seven-wicket win powered by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten century. The result evens the series at 1-1, injecting fresh excitement into the tour.
India set a gettable 252 after electing to bat first, with Gill and Rahul scoring fifties. But New Zealand’s bowlers hit back hard—Jamieson with key strikes and Santner with clever variations—to cap the total. In reply, NZ lost early wickets but Mitchell’s gritty 127* off 124 balls, including 12 boundaries and three maximums, proved decisive.
His calm demeanor under pressure, combined with useful contributions from Latham and Williamson, saw NZ home with ease. India’s fielding lapses and bowling inconsistencies were glaring, allowing Mitchell to farm the strike effectively.
This win highlights New Zealand’s never-say-die spirit. Mitchell’s performance is a statement of intent ahead of the finale. India, stung by the loss, must regroup quickly. Cricket fans worldwide await the rubber match, where pride and points are up for grabs.