[WATCH] IND vs NZ 2026: Virat Kohli playfully pushes Daryl Mitchell off the field after Indore ODI century

New Zealand middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell produced a batting masterclass in the third ODI against India at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, on Sunday, January 18. The right-hander played a composed yet authoritative knock, scoring 137 off 131 balls, which guided the Kiwis to a formidable total. Mitchell once again proved difficult to contain, building partnerships and frustrating the Indian bowling attack.

Mitchell was eventually dismissed by Mohammed Siraj and began his walk back to the pavilion. During the moment, Virat Kohli, who was positioned near the boundary ropes, shared a light-hearted exchange with Mitchell by playfully pushing him off the field. The humorous gesture came after Mitchell had tormented Indian bowlers throughout the three-match series, scoring two centuries and a half-century. The moment quickly caught fans’ attention and went viral across social media platforms.

Speaking about the third ODI, New Zealand posted a commanding total of 337/8 in their 50 overs, riding on outstanding centuries from Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Mitchell continued his sensational run of form in the series by scoring his second century, producing a superb knock of 137 runs that included 15 fours and three sixes.

Mitchell found good support from Phillips, who played an equally impactful innings, scoring 106 off 88 balls, laced with nine fours and three maximums. The duo played a crucial role in accelerating the scoring during the middle overs. Mitchell first added 53 runs in 66 balls for the third wicket with Will Young before stitching together a massive 219-run partnership in 186 balls for the fourth wicket alongside Phillips.

From India’s bowling unit, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/63, while Harshit Rana also claimed three wickets for 84 runs, though most Indian bowlers struggled against the aggressive Kiwi batting display. India now need to chase 338 runs to seal the series, with the three-match contest currently level at 1-1.

Mitchell finished the series with a staggering 352 runs in three innings at an average of 176 and a strike rate of 110.34. He smashed 31 fours and eight sixes, becoming the third-highest run-scorer in a three-match ODI bilateral series and registering his fourth ODI century against India, where his average now stands at 74.1.