The Indian stalwart Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise over how comfortably New Zealand chased down 285 against India in the second ODI at Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14.

Gavaskar admitted that he expected India to make better use of the conditions and restrict the visitors on what appeared to be a slow surface. He felt the pitch offered enough assistance for the Indian bowlers to control the chase and turn the contest in the hosts’ favour.

“I was surprised by how easily New Zealand got across the line because, before they started batting, everyone thought India would be able to make use of the slowness of the pitch.

With their bowlers, not just the spinners, but all of them, using the slowness of the surface well, it felt like India would be able to restrict New Zealand to around 260 or 270. I thought that would have been an easy win for India,” Gavaskar said post-match on Jiostar.

However, the former captain was quick to credit New Zealand’s batting, highlighting the decisive partnership that shifted the momentum firmly away from India. Gavaskar reserved special praise for the third-wicket stand between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell, which laid the foundation for the successful chase.

“But full credit to New Zealand, particularly the partnership between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell. That 150-plus stand just took the game away. I think they showed how a near-300 run total can be chased down by taking your time to settle in and then backing your stroke-making ability and running between the wickets,” he said.

Gavaskar also underlined Mitchell’s contribution beyond his century, pointing out the relentless pressure he applied on the fielding side even after reaching three figures.

“Daryl Mitchell deserves huge credit, not just for the batting, but even after getting to his hundred, the way he kept running hard, putting pressure on the fielders, and constantly taking twos. That shows both fitness and commitment to the team,” he added.

Mitchell continued his impressive record against India, finishing unbeaten on 131 off 117 balls, an innings that included 11 fours and two sixes. His 162-run partnership with Young proved to be match-winning and marked his third ODI century against India, drawing him level with Chris Cairns and Ross Taylor for the joint second-most hundreds by a New Zealand batter against India in the format.

Mitchell's ODI record against India now reads 604 runs in 10 innings at an average of 67.11 and a strike rate of 95.11, with three centuries and two fifties.

The three-match series is now level at 1-1, with the decider scheduled to be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday.