Daryl Mitchell’s Career-Best 89 Lifts New Zealand To 198/3 Against India In Third T20I

Daryl Mitchell struck a career-best 89 not out off 52 deliveries to guide New Zealand to 198/3 against India in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday.

The hosts reached 100/2 after 10 overs but lost momentum towards the end as India’s bowlers tightened their lines and restricted the scoring rate. Bevon Jacobs contributed 39 off 23 balls, although New Zealand fell short of a total beyond 200.

Arshdeep Singh was India’s leading bowler, finishing with figures of 1/33 in four overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel also claimed one wicket each.

India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field, retaining the same playing XI. Arshdeep struck early in the second over, dismissing Tim Seifert for two runs.

Finn Allen and Mitchell then accelerated the innings, collecting 14 runs from Arshdeep’s sixth over and another 14 from Axar’s next over.

The pair added 86 runs off 43 balls. Allen scored 40 from 25 deliveries, including five sixes, before Glenn Phillips fell to Axar Patel for 17 in the 12th over.

New Zealand reached 123/3 after 12 overs, leaving the hosts well placed to accelerate during the final phase.

India’s bowlers responded by adjusting their lengths and using fuller deliveries and yorkers to limit New Zealand’s scoring opportunities.

The hosts managed only 63 runs in the final seven overs as India maintained disciplined defensive lines. Four different bowlers were deployed during the death overs to prevent a late surge.

Mitchell remained unbeaten on 89, anchoring the innings throughout and helping New Zealand finish at 198/3.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 198/3 (Daryl Mitchell 89*, Finn Allen 40; Arshdeep Singh 1/33, Axar Patel 1/36) against India.

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