The Kiwis performed a flawless hunt to overcome India by seven wickets in the 2nd ODI (D/N) at Rajkot on January 14, 2026, to ensure a series tie in the ongoing trip to India. In pursuit of 285, India were made to face a brilliant innings by Daryl Mitchell, who remained unbeaten with an informace century, while their opening partnership also proved crucial to help them win with 15 balls to spare.

India Post Competetive Total On The Back Of KL Rahul’s Hundred

India started positively after winning the toss, using the first powerplay fully. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 57 runs without loss in the mandatory overs, with Shubman looking positively fluent. The first wicket fell at the 52-ball mark with a score of 50, and then Shubman started flourishing.
Gill got to his half-century in just 47 balls with eight fours and a six, but wickets fell at regular intervals in the middle overs for India. Virat Kohli could not fully capitalize on his start, and the strike-rate slowed in Powerplay 2 as New Zealand's bowlers pressed for more wickets.

Rahul Rahul was discovered to be the pillar of this innings. After consolidating their middle order with Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul brought himself to his fifty in 52 balls, following it up with some aggressive death-over play. Along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rahul completed an exemplary hundred in 87 balls.

India scored their 250 in the 47th over and went on to score 284/7 in 50 overs with Rahul staying undefeated at 112.

Early Wicket but Calm Recovery for New Zealand

A cautious start to the chase for the Black Caps, as India hit them hard in the powerplay. The visitors could score only 34 runs in the first ten overs, but Will Young and Daryl Mitchell arrested the downfall with their valuable partnership.
Both of them rebuilt an innings gradually, adding a score of 100 runs while maintaining the required run rate. Young reached his half-century after 68 balls while Mitchell continued to pick up the pace.

However, by the second drinks break, New Zealand were in a strong position at 166/2, closely on track to achieve their target.

Daryl Mitchell’s Brilliance Seals the Match
In

The turning point came when Mitchell changed gear once he crossed his fifty. He left no stone unturned while dealing with the Indian spinners and did not shy away from pushing boundaries when there were loose balls in the final powerplay.
   
    Despite a drama of a review, when things didn’t go in their favor, Mitchell remained unperturbed.

Mitchell knocked down a sensational century with 96 balls that included seven fours and two sixes, and got very good company from Glenn Phillips too, who added a quick 50-run partnership that propelled NZ over 250 in the 44th over.

New Zealand finally reached 286/3 in 47.3 overs, thus dominating the chase and winning the match by 7 wickets.
Match Summary

India: 284/7 in 50 overs
KL Rahul 112, Shubman Gill 50

New Zealand: 286/3 in 47.3 overs
Daryl Mitchell 100, Will Young 50

Result: New Zealand won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchell