Daryl Mitchell scored a fighting century (134) against the mammoth first innings total of 397/5 posted by India.
India posted a mammoth 397 runs for the loss of just 5 wickets. The Kiwi bowlers were belted around the Wankhede by a marauding ton of Virat Kohli followed by Shreyas Iyer. Naturally, it is going to be the highest chase for New Zealand which can help them secure a win to clobber their way back to the Finals. But, it is going to be a herculean task to score so many runs against such an in-form bowling lineup which boasts of Shami, Siraj and Bumrah. The trio, known by the portmanteau of “Shumrah” have been in superb form throughout the tournament. But the main highlight was the phenomenal batting displayed by Daryl Mitchell.
The Kiwis decently started the chase with 30 runs on board. Both Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway started playing some meaningful strokes to start the innings. The latter, however, fell to a beauty from Shami (30/1). Ravindra followed Conway soon and New Zealand was tattering at 39/2. However, out of nowhere, Mitchell and Williamson came and stitched a fighting partnership of 181 runs. Williamson however fell on 69.
However, the batsman who provided the pedigree for headlines was Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell played a fighting knock of 134 runs off 119 balls. Daryl’s inning was the hallmark of controlled aggression which had 9 fours and 7 sixes. He took a dig at all the bowlers and spared no one. Against the spinners, Mitchell was constantly stepping out and hitting them for the maximum. On the other hand, he gave full respect to a fiery Mohammad Shami. Nevertheless, he succumbed to the mammoth target of India and fell at 134. But, the innings that Mitchell played described a lot about his character and his grit. Naturally, the 32-year-old cricketer will return home as a happy man about his team’s and his individual fighting effort.
Summary: 31-40 overs – 67/2; Phase winner – Shared
> Williamson-Mitchell attacked Bumrah for a 14-run over
> Mitchell records a splendid 85-ball hundred
> Shami returns to break open the game – Williamson and Latham in the same over
> Jadeja builds dots with newcomer Phillips before finishing wicketless
> Shami-Siraj keep Phillips quiet
> Mitchell attacks Shami for a six, and Siraj is taken for 12 the next over
> Mitchell gives up on a run, escapes runout as Jadeja misses the stumps
> Shami was building a tight 40th over but Mitchell scoops him for six
Subsequently, Latham came but the lack of form meant the Kiwi vice-captain could not prolong his stay on the crease. He was out for a duck post which Glenn Philips came and steadied the ship along with Mitchell. However, once Philips went, the floodgates opened up for the Kiwis as they found themselves at 327/9.
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