New Zealand’s most reliable ODI batter joined forces with one of their most out-of-form to script a commanding seven-wicket win over India in Rajkot, levelling the series and setting up a decider in Indore.

A familiar thorn in India’s side, though rarely in victory on Indian soil, Daryl Mitchell played a defining hand, scoring a superb unbeaten 131 off 117 balls to seal a chase of 285 with 15 deliveries to spare. The win marked New Zealand’s highest successful run-chase against India in India and their first ODI victory in the country since 2017.

Mitchell’s partner in the decisive stand was Will Young, who arrived in the series with just 91 runs from his previous 12 ODIs and only found a place due to the absence of several regulars. Young responded with a composed 87 off 98 balls, adding 162 with Mitchell — a partnership that effectively took the game away from India.

Chasing 284, New Zealand were briefly checked when Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna removed the openers to leave the visitors 46/2 in the 13th over. Young initially played the anchor role and enjoyed a slice of luck when a mistimed swipe in the 30s fell just short of a sliding Rohit Sharma.

Mitchell, meanwhile, counter-attacked with authority. His innings was defined by sharp rotation of strike and ruthless punishment of anything marginally loose. He survived a dramatic 36th over, first when Ravindra Jadeja missed a run-out and then when Prasidh put down a chance at long-on off Kuldeep Yadav.

As Mitchell surged ahead, his pro-active intent rubbed off on Young, who grew in confidence and began driving and cutting with increasing command. Young raised a well-earned fifty and looked set for three figures — which would have been his first ODI hundred since the Champions Trophy nearly a year ago — before one ambitious swipe too many saw him hole out to midwicket off Kuldeep. At that point, New Zealand needed just 77 from 72 balls.

Any lingering nerves were calmed by Glenn Phillips, whose unbeaten 32 off 35 ensured there were no late hiccups. Mitchell reviewed successfully against an lbw call from Mohammed Siraj, marched on to his eighth ODI hundred, and guided the Black Caps home to end an eight-match losing streak against India.

Earlier, India’s innings revolved almost entirely around KL Rahul, whose unbeaten 112 off 92 balls carried the hosts to 284/7 on a deceptive Rajkot surface. On a day when Rohit, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer failed, and Shubman Gill threw away a promising start, Rahul was the lone pillar of resistance.

Asked to bat after losing yet another toss, India began steadily before Rohit’s scratchy 24 ended in a lofted drive to the deep. Kohli briefly ignited the crowd with a first-ball four but soon fell trying to manufacture a run, becoming one of Kristian Clarke’s three wickets. Gill looked fluent for his 56, striking the ball sweetly through the offside, before gifting his wicket with an ill-judged swipe.

Iyer struggled for fluency and chipped Clarke to mid-off, leaving India 115/3 and in need of consolidation. Jadeja arrived unusually early and added 73 with Rahul, contributing a subdued 27 while Rahul controlled the tempo. Against the probing spin of Michael Bracewell and debutant Jayden Lennox, Rahul showcased exemplary ODI craft — a run-a-ball fifty followed by an acceleration despite wickets falling around him.

Late cameos were brief, but Rahul farmed the strike expertly, reached his hundred off 87 balls, and finished with 112 not out. It was a reminder that while the art of building an ODI innings is often associated with Kohli, Rahul remains one of India’s finest practitioners — even on a day when New Zealand, led by Mitchell, had the final say.