ICC World Cup 2023: Daryl Mitchell hits sparkling century but India make comeback with late wickets

Daryl Mitchell (Pic: AFP)

Daryl Mitchell struck a sparkling century to pull New Zealand towards a competitive total against India in Sunday's top-of-the-table ICC World Cup 2023 clash between two unbeaten teams.

Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra put on a stand of 159 for the third wicket after the Kiwis were invited to bat first and lost their openers early in the Himalayan hill town of Dharamsala.

Mitchell lost his partner Ravindra on 75, but kept up the charge to get his fifth ODI ton in 100 balls to raise his bat to an applauding Kiwi dressing room. New Zealand reached 222-4 in 41 overs with Mitchell and Glenn Phillips batting.

Both Ravindra and Mitchell hit back in an attacking stand after Kiwis lost their openers early.

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New Zealand started slowly but Ravindra and Mitchell hit six fours and three sixes between them to take on the opposition attack.

Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami took down Devon Conway, for a duck, and Will Young, for 17, as New Zealand slipped to 19-2. Both teams have won four games each in the round-robin tournament but New Zealand top the 10-team table due to superior run-rate.

India, meanwhile, will be seeking revenge for the run-out from Martin Guptill in the 2019 World Cup semi-final 1566 days ago. Both teams are unbeaten after playing four games each, today one team's unbeaten run is bound to end.The Men in Blue have made two crucial changes as Suryakumar Yadav comes in for injured Hardik Pandya while Mohammed Shami is making his first appearance in the ongoing World Cup in place of Shardul Thakur.

(With inputs from agencies)