IND vs NZ: Daryl Mitchell's 91-Ball Fifty Against India Scripts Unwanted Feat For New Zealand In Champions Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was the only Kiwi batter to showcase a stunning performance in the final match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Kiwis conceded just one defeat in the ongoing ICC event and made their way to the summit clash after beating South Africa in the semi-final.

Daryl Mitchell Scripts Unwanted Record

During the showdown on March 9, Mitchell played a 63-run knock from 101 balls at a strike rate of 62.38. The 33-year-old smashed a 91-ball fifty and scripted an unwanted record for the Kiwis as it was New Zealand's second slowest half-century in the 50-over format since 2011. It was also the Black Caps' second slowest in the history of the Champions Trophy.

The right-handed batter smashed three fours during his knock. Mitchell's time on the crease came to an end in the 46th over when Mohammed Shami dismissed him. Shami picked up just one wicket in the game, but it was a crucial one for the Men in Blue. The Indian seamer threw a slower delivery, and Mitchell tried to send it over the extra cover, but it landed straight on Rohit Sharma's palms.

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Recapping CT 2025 Final First Inning

Earlier in the first inning, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat against India in Dubai. Will Young (15) and Rachin Ravindra (37) gave a kickstart to the Kiwis by cementing a 57-run partnership. But as the inning went on, the Black Caps were caught in the Indian spin web. Daryl Mitchell's (63) and Michael Bracewell's (53*) stunning knocks propelled the Kiwis to 251/7 in the first inning.

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Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav led the Indian bowling attack by picking two wickets in their respective spells. Meanwhile, Shami and Ravindra Jadeja bagged one wicket each. The Men in Blue need 252 runs to get their hands on the Champions Trophy silverware on March 9.