Daryl Mitchell etched his name into New Zealand cricket folklore with a stunning unbeaten 131 as the Black Caps dismantled India by seven wickets in the second One Day International at Rajkot on January 14, 2026. The comprehensive victory has breathed new life into the series, setting up what promises to be an electrifying decider in Indore on January 18.

Mitchell was in imperious form from the moment he strode to the crease, demonstrating the kind of composed aggression that has become his trademark. His 117-ball masterpiece was a blend of classical strokeplay and modern innovation, as he dissected the Indian bowling attack with surgical precision. The right-hander found the boundary with remarkable consistency, never allowing the home side's bowlers to settle into any rhythm.

What made Mitchell's innings particularly impressive was the manner in which he paced his knock. Understanding the magnitude of the chase, he built partnerships with his teammates while ensuring the required run rate never spiraled out of control. His ability to rotate the strike and then punish any loose deliveries proved to be the perfect formula for success on a Rajkot surface that offered assistance to both batsmen and bowlers.

The New Zealand dressing room erupted in celebration as Mitchell guided his team home, his bat raised in acknowledgment of an innings that will be remembered for years to come. His selection as Player of the Match was a mere formality, a fitting recognition for a performance that single-handedly wrestled the momentum away from the hosts.

For India, this defeat will sting particularly hard. Playing on home soil with a passionate crowd behind them, the Men in Blue would have expected to wrap up the series with a game to spare. Instead, they now face the pressure of a winner-takes-all encounter, with Mitchell's heroics serving as a stark reminder of the quality that New Zealand possesses in their ranks.

The Kiwis have historically been a side that thrives under pressure, and their performance at Rajkot exemplified this fighting spirit. While Mitchell deservedly claimed the headlines, the collective effort from the touring party should not be overlooked. The bowlers did their job in restricting India to a chaseable total, and the fielding standards remained impeccable throughout the contest.

As both teams now turn their attention to Indore, the stakes could not be higher. New Zealand will carry the confidence of a dominant victory, while India must quickly regroup and address the shortcomings that were ruthlessly exposed by Mitchell and company. The series decider promises to be a fascinating encounter between two evenly matched sides with everything on the line.

For the neutrals, this ODI series has delivered exactly what cricket fans crave: competitive matches, individual brilliance, and the prospect of a dramatic conclusion. Mitchell's unbeaten 131 will go down as one of the finest innings by an overseas batsman on Indian soil, a testament to his growing stature as one of the most reliable performers in world cricket.

The cricketing world now waits with bated breath for January 18, when India and New Zealand will battle for series supremacy in Indore. If the Rajkot encounter is any indication, fans are in for a treat.