Daryl Mitchell breaks 48 year old record after his ODI Century

In the most anticipated match during the ICC World Cup 2023, Daryl Mitchell, the New Zealand middle-order batter, showcased his incredible talent by scoring his fifth ODI hundred, making a significant impact on the game. His remarkable century came in Match 21 of the tournament against the tournament favorite India, held in Dharamsala. 

Mitchell’s century was a masterclass in batting, taking only 96 balls to reach triple figures. He adorned his innings with seven fours and four sixes, continuing his fine run with the bat for the Kiwis in this competition. However, what made his performance truly remarkable was his ability to rescue New Zealand from a precarious situation. Daryl Mitchell ends a 48-year drought by becoming the first New Zealand player to score a World Cup century against India, a historic feat in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Crisis man Mitchell

When Mitchell came to the crease, New Zealand was struggling at 19 for 2 in the 9th over. In partnership with young Rachin Ravindra, he crafted a massive 159-run stand, pulling his team out of troubled waters. This partnership was a combination of caution and aggression, as they put the Indian bowlers, especially Kuldeep Yadav, under pressure for the first time in the tournament.

Mitchell’s aggressive approach against Kuldeep was particularly notable, as he consistently targeted the spinner. Notably, he became the second New Zealand batter to score a World Cup hundred against India and the fourth overall to achieve this feat while batting at No. 4 or below. He was also the first batter to score a century against India in this edition of the tournament.

At just 32 years old, Daryl Mitchell has already accumulated an impressive record, with five ODI centuries and four fifties in just 30 innings in this format. His consistency across formats has made him one of the most prolific batters in world cricket over the past couple of years.

While Mitchell’s century was a standout moment, his partnership with Ravindra not only rescued the innings but also put New Zealand on course for a total close to 300. Unfortunately, Ravindra couldn’t carry on to get his second hundred and was dismissed for 75 by Mohammed Shami.