Imagine a cricketer so dominant against a particular team that even his opponents can’t help but smile—and gently push him off the field in playful frustration. That’s exactly what happened when Virat Kohli, India’s cricket legend, playfully shoved Daryl Mitchell out of the park after the New Zealand batter’s relentless performance in the third ODI at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Mitchell’s staggering success against India a testament to his brilliance, or a glaring weakness in India’s bowling strategy? Let’s dive in.
Daryl Mitchell’s love affair with Indian pitches continued on Sunday, as the right-handed batter notched his ninth ODI century—his fourth against India in just 11 innings. Walking in during the second over after the early dismissals of Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, Mitchell initially played the waiting game. But once the bowlers showed signs of fatigue, he unleashed a masterclass of calculated aggression. His partnership with Glenn Phillips was nothing short of spectacular, as the duo stitched together a 219-run stand for the fourth wicket. Phillips, too, joined the century club, marking his second ODI ton.
And this is the part most people miss: Mitchell’s consistency against India isn’t just luck. At 34, he’s reinvented his game, blending patience with power to become a nightmare for Indian bowlers. His 137-run knock in Indore was a prime example—until Mohammed Siraj finally halted his march toward a potential double century. Kohli’s lighthearted push off the field, captured on camera, summed up the mix of admiration and exasperation Mitchell inspires.
But here’s the bold question: Is Mitchell’s dominance a reflection of his genius, or India’s failure to crack his code? Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull weighed in during the mid-innings, jokingly mimicking Kohli’s gesture: “We finally got you, we finally got you out. You got 137, but we finally got you. Get off.” Yet, the numbers don’t lie: Mitchell’s 352 runs in the three-match series (including two centuries and a fifty) place him second only to Babar Azam and Shubman Gill (360) for most runs in a three-match ODI series. His ODI average against India is also the highest among batters with 500+ runs against the team.
In the series decider, India captain Gill won the toss and opted to bowl, but New Zealand’s 337/8—powered by Mitchell’s 137 and Phillips’ 106—proved too much. Despite Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana’s early breakthroughs, reducing New Zealand to 5/2, Mitchell and Phillips’ partnership ensured the visitors crossed the 300-run mark.
So, what’s your take? Is Daryl Mitchell India’s kryptonite, or is this a wake-up call for India’s bowling attack? Let us know in the comments—and don’t hold back!
