New Zealand middle order mainstay darryl mitchell Gave batting masterclass in Third ODI against India On Sunday, January 18 at Holkar Cricket Stadium. The right-handed batsman’s 137 off 131 balls powered New Zealand’s innings and took the visitors to a total of 337 for 8, putting India under immense pressure in the series decider.
Mitchell’s innings was a mix of composure, timing and controlled aggression, as he repeatedly found the gaps and punished loose balls. Once again, he proved difficult to stop, forming important partnerships and wearing down the Indian bowling attack in the middle overs.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips take New Zealand to 337/8
After New Zealand lost early wickets, Mitchell led the innings before accelerating with remarkable clarity. He first added 53 runs for the third wicket. Will YoungAbsorbing pressure and deflecting strikes effectively. The innings really turned in New Zealand’s favor when Mitchell joined Glenn Phillips and the pair put on a huge partnership of 219 runs for the fourth wicket.
Phillips equaled Mitchell’s intention by playing an equally devastating innings of 106 runs off 88 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Together the duo demolished India’s bowling plans, targeting both pace and spin to dominate the middle and death overs. Mitchell’s innings included 15 fours and three sixes, underscoring his complete control during the New Zealand innings.
Kohli-Daryl Mitchell’s light-hearted moment goes viral
Mitchell’s dismissal happened at the end of the innings when he was bowled. Mohammad SirajA remarkable knock ended. As he returned to the pavilion, a light-hearted moment unfolded near the boundary ropes Virat Kohli.
Kohli, positioned close to the rope, playfully pushed Mitchell towards the dugout, causing both players to smile. The gesture was seen as a humorous acknowledgment by Mitchell of the punishment given to India throughout the series. The exchange was quickly caught by cameras and went viral on social media platforms, drawing praise for the sportsmanship between the two elite competitors.
Virat is literally pushing Daryl Mitchell off the field😭 Kohli sir us pic.twitter.com/LTDEAkchaA
– S (@yaayerhs) 18 January 2026
Also read: Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips’ explosive centuries enrage fans in India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI
Indian bowlers are struggling despite the efforts of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
India’s bowling unit faced difficulties on the batting-friendly Indore surface. While most bowlers struggled to generate sustained pressure, Arshdeep Singh He emerged as an outstanding performer by taking 3 wickets for 63 runs. Harshit Rana Also took three wickets for 84 runs in the process.
Despite these efforts, a lack of consistency in the rest of the attack allowed New Zealand to maintain the momentum, especially during the middle overs when Mitchell and Phillips were at their devastating best.
With the three-match ODI series tied at 1-1, India will now face the tough challenge of chasing 338 runs to win the series. The momentum is firmly in New Zealand’s favor and with Mitchell having already made his mark, the stage is set for a thrilling finale in Indore.
See also: Arshdeep Singh sends Henry Nicholls packing with a peach in 3rd IND vs ODI