India got a dream start at Dharamshala but failed to build on it as New Zealand managed to post a challenging 273 on board in Dharamshala's HPCA Stadium on Sunday.
The star of the innings for New Zealand was centurion Daryl Mitchell (130 off 127) who made a 169-run stand with Rachin Ravindra (75 off 87) to bring his side back into the contest after openers Devon Conway (0) and Will Young (17) fell early.
Daryl Mitchell, who struck his maiden century of the tournament, smashed 9 fours and 5 maximums on a pitch that is known to assist fast bowlers. Rachin Ravindra, who has been a consistent performer for the Kiwis throughout the ICC World Cup 2023, had an LBW decision overturned to make 75. He found the boundary ropes six times and blasted one maximum before being dismissed by Mohammed Shami.
Daryl Mitchell celebrates his ton | Reuters
India was uncharacteristically sloppy in the field and paid a hefty prize. Ravindra Jadeja, arguably one of the best fielders in the world, dropped Ravindra on 12 before KL Rahul and Bumrah gave lifelines to Mitchell.
For India, leggie Kuldeep Yadav was expensive in his 10 overs (73/2) but managed to clinch the wickets of New Zealand stand-in captain Tom Latham (5) and Glenn Phillips (23). While Mohammed Siraj claimed Conway's wicket, Jaspirt Bumrah got rid of Mark Chapman (6). They gave away 45 runs each in their quota of 10 overs.
However, it was Mohammed Shami who shined with the ball as he claimed five wickets including the prized wicket Mitchell. Shami also dismissed Mitchell Santner (1) and Matt Henry (0) in back-to-back deliveries in the 48th over.
The hallmark of the partnership between Ravindra and Mitchell was that they never went into a shell and rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking. Mitchell's straight hits over the two in-form Indian spinners' heads were a treat to watch.
Ravindra brought up his fifty off 56 balls, while Mitchell's half-century came in 60 deliveries. Introduced into the attack in the ninth over, Shami struck with his first ball of the tournament by removing Will Young, who played on to an incoming delivery.
India pulled things back significantly by picking up six wickets in the last six overs for only 30 runs.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 273 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 130, Rachin Ravindra 75; Mohammed Shami 5/54) vs India
- With PTI inputs
