WATCH: Virat Kohli’s playful gesture steals the show after Daryl Mitchell’s ODI century in Indore

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New Zealand middle-order mainstay Daryl Mitchell delivered a batting masterclass in the third ODI against India at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday, January 18. The right-hander’s authoritative 137 off 131 balls anchored New Zealand’s innings and powered the visitors to a commanding total of 337 for 8, placing India under immense pressure in a series-deciding chase.

Mitchell’s knock was a blend of composure, timing, and controlled aggression, as he repeatedly found gaps and punished loose deliveries. Once again, he proved difficult to contain, building key partnerships and wearing down the Indian bowling attack across the middle overs.

After New Zealand lost early wickets, Mitchell steadied the innings before accelerating with remarkable clarity. He first added 53 runs for the third wicket with Will Young, absorbing pressure and rotating the strike effectively. The innings truly shifted in New Zealand’s favour when Mitchell was joined by Glenn Phillips, with the pair stitching together a massive 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Phillips matched Mitchell’s intent with an equally destructive knock of 106 off 88 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes. Together, the duo dismantled India’s bowling plans, targeting both pace and spin to dominate the middle and death overs. Mitchell’s knock featured 15 fours and three sixes, underlining his complete control throughout the NZ innings.

Mitchell’s dismissal came late in the innings when he was bowled by Mohammed Siraj, bringing an end to a remarkable knock. As he walked back to the pavilion, a light-hearted moment unfolded near the boundary ropes involving Virat Kohli.

Positioned close to the rope, Kohli playfully nudged Mitchell toward the dugout, prompting smiles from both players. The gesture was seen as a humorous acknowledgment of the punishment Mitchell had handed India throughout the series. The exchange was quickly picked up by cameras and went viral across social media platforms, earning praise for the spirit of sportsmanship between two elite competitors.

Virat literally pushing Daryl Mitchell off the field😭 Us Kohli saab us😂

— s (@yaayerhs) January 18, 2026

Also READ: Fans erupt as Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips hit sizzling centuries in IND vs NZ 3rd ODI

India’s bowling unit found the going tough on a batting-friendly Indore surface. While most bowlers struggled to apply sustained pressure, Arshdeep Singh emerged as the standout performer, finishing with figures of 3 for 63. Harshit Rana also chipped in with three wickets, conceding 84 runs in the process.

Despite these efforts, the lack of consistency from the rest of the attack allowed New Zealand to maintain momentum, particularly during the middle overs when Mitchell and Phillips were at their destructive best.

As the three-match ODI series stands level at 1-1, India now face the daunting task of chasing 338 to seal the series. With momentum firmly in New Zealand’s favour and Mitchell having already left his mark, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion in Indore.

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