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Daryl Mitchell's record in India has now become a rare one among the visiting batter. For the last couple of years, he has been making the subcontinents less of a tough place and more of his own backyard. The current ODI series against India has thus yet again proved his worth as New Zealand's most reliable batter on Indian soil. The temperament, shot selection, and temporization have all gone into Mitchell's success when many fell short on judgment.

This dominance is, however, supported by some very wonderful numbers: 1,457 ODI runs across the subcontinent at an average of 56.03. In India alone, he stands at an average of 66.75 with 801 runs coming from just 14 innings. Three of his last four ODI knocks in India have crossed the century mark during this run which started with the 2023 World Cup: 130, 134, 84 and 131 not out in the current series.

Mitchell's success on Indian soil has indeed been mapped out. Before the tour in India, he trained for long hours on special pitches prepared at Lincoln close to Christchurch to mirror Asian conditions. These pitches required patience, were soft-handy and required batters to work the ball instead of hitting through it. Strike rotation, early reading of spin, and choosing the right moments to attack were the focuses.

Mitchell's head was clear against spin. His sweeping, reverse sweeping, and occasional lap shots were successful in ensuring that the bowlers never settled into a rhythm during the game. Instead of brute strength, against fast bowlers, he relied on straight driving and placement. By promptly adjusting to conditions, he calls the shots while, rather uniquely, not attempting to take any risks, thus keeping the pressure entrenched on the bowlers.

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The peak of Mitchell's consistency was witnessed during these three ODIs: 131 not out at Rajkot to level the series, breaking New Zealand's streak of eight straight losses in India. Another century followed in Indore, taking his series tally to over 300 runs, sharing the record with fellow batters Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli as the only ones to score 300 runs in a three-match ODI series played in India.

This milestone gives testimony to Mitchell's presence under pressure. He never murdered the bowlers, rather made it difficult for them to set a plan because of his endless scoring options. Singles and twos just as importantly as the odd four ensured the fielding side could never breathe easy.

The third ODI of the New Zealand tour of India 2026 is being played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium Indore at 1:30 PM local time. New Zealand were in early trouble at 69 for 3 after losing Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Will Young. Harshit Rana continued to trouble Conway, while Arshdeep Singh and Ravindra Jadeja pressed their advantage.

From then on, Mitchell took complete control. He brought up his century off 109 balls, with 11 fours and 2 sixes, while Glenn Phillips gave good company with 65 off 65 balls. At 36.3 overs, New Zealand were sitting pretty at 207 for 3 and had set a solid platform for the final onslaught. Although, on the other hand, for India, Siraj bowled with great control and Rana picked up two wickets. But with Mitchell at the crease, India could never pull back any momentum.