IND vs NZ: Ravichandran Ashwin reveals the key behind Daryl Mitchell’s success against Kuldeep Yadav in 2nd ODI

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In the high-octane world of international cricket, few players possess the tactical acumen of Ravichandran Ashwin. While currently retired from the international cricket, the veteran off-spinner remains a sharp student of the game, often sharing masterclasses on social media. Recently, during the ongoing 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand in Rajkot, Ashwin took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to dissect a fascinating tactical battle of Daryl Mitchell’s calculated dominance over India’s premier wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav.

Ashwin has never been one to shy away from praising technical brilliance, even when it comes from the opposition. In a detailed post, he labeled Mitchell as “one of the most cerebral cricketers going around,” highlighting how the Kiwi batter uses high-level game awareness to maximize his potential.

The crux of Ashwin’s analysis centered on how Mitchell systematically dismantled Kuldeep’s rhythm. According to Ashwin, Mitchell is one of the rare modern batters who is unafraid to use his feet against elite spinners like Kuldeep or Varun Chakaravarthy. Ashwin observed a specific sequence: Mitchell first stepped out to loft Kuldeep for a massive six. Anticipating that Kuldeep would respond by bowling the next delivery quicker and flatter to prevent him from charging again, Mitchell stayed back and deftly paddled the ball around the corner for a boundary.

“When explained, it seems simple, but pushing that short square leg back to short fine for a spinner is an underrated aspect of the game,” Ashwin noted. By forcing captain Shubman Gill to alter the field, Mitchell effectively neutralized the pressure, proving that his success isn’t just about power, but about psychological warfare.

Daryl Mitchell is easily one of the most cerebral cricketers going around, maximises his potential using his wonderful game awareness.

Case in point : One of the rare batters that is prepared to step down the wicket to spinners like Varun, Kuldeep etc.

Steps out hits Kuldeep…

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 14, 2026

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Mitchell’s performance in the current series is no fluke; it is the continuation of a golden run that has seen him become India’s biggest thorn. Currently ranked No. 3 in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, Mitchell is breathing down the necks of Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the top spot. His recent stats against the Men in Blue are staggering, boasting an average of nearly 53 in his last few outings against them.

Coming off a brilliant 84 in the 1st ODI at Vadodara, Mitchell has cemented his reputation as a big-match player. His ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a strike rate of over 90 makes him a rare commodity in the middle order. Whether it was his twin centuries during the 2023 World Cup or his current tactical masterclass against India’s spin twins, Mitchell has proven he has the technical hands to thrive in subcontinental conditions. As India look toward the 2027 World Cup, players like Mitchell are setting the gold standard for how to tackle high-quality wrist spin on turning tracks.

Also WATCH: KL Rahul celebrates memorable Rajkot ODI century with a special gesture for his daughter