New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell stole the spotlight in the second ODI against India, bagging the Player of the Match honors with a match-defining century. But in a classy gesture, he reserved high praise for India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, who nearly turned the tide single-handedly.
Mitchell’s 130-run knock, laced with boundaries at will, rescued New Zealand from 120/4 to a defendable 275/6. His ability to rotate strike and unleash big hits against both pace and spin showcased his completeness as a batsman. The crowd roared as he reached his ton with a massive six off spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Bumrah’s spell was a standout, claiming 3/45 with express pace and clever variations. He dismissed key batsmen like Latham and Glenn Phillips, keeping New Zealand’s momentum in check. Mitchell later said, ‘Facing Bumrah is always a challenge. He’s the best in the business right now.’
Chasing 276, India lost momentum after Rohit Sharma’s early departure. Despite spirited knocks from Gill and Rahul, they crumbled under pressure, all out for 267. New Zealand’s fielding, spearheaded by Mitchell’s sharp catches, proved decisive.
The win gives New Zealand momentum heading into the series decider. Mitchell’s dual role as batsman and motivator has energized the team, while Bumrah’s efforts offer hope for India’s comeback. This rivalry continues to deliver edge-of-the-seat cricket.