Rahul and Mitchell shine in a contest that created its own context as ghosts of finals past collided at full tilt.
Rahul and Mitchell were in the ghosts of their own past.
With a T20 World Cup just over a month away, this ODI series between India and New Zealand is in a difficult position. No one else seems to be thinking about the 50-overs format, but occasionally a competition develops its own context.
Social media was buzzing with all the similarities to November 19, 2023 when Kohli fell on Wednesday in Rajkot, but you would think the professionals playing this game were just focused on the present.
Or did they?
Because the person who had witnessed the same event in Ahmedabad on that fateful day was in Rajkot, watching from the opposite end as Kohli continued to play. A contemplative person who had undoubtedly thought about that day and his part in it numerous times.
KL, In an unprompted YouTube interview with long-time India teammate R Ashwin, Rahul mentioned his 107-ball 66 in the 2023 World Cup final. All Ashwin asked Rahul to do was share one life decision that, if given the chance, he would change, even if it had nothing to do with cricket.
Rahul could have gone anywhere, and he did, to the mental condition he was in when he defeated Mitchell Starc.
Rahul’s actions in Rajkot would have no effect at all on Ahmedabad. Like the rest of us in our daily lives, all he could do was strive to be the greatest version of himself that day.
However, he had the opportunity to act out the counterfactual here in Rajkot. You can only play the scenario that is in front of you, not against the same team or in a match of comparable importance.
Rahul performed as well as anyone could have on this one. When his batting partners (and extras) combined for 57 off 79, he made an undefeated 112 off 92 balls, which demonstrated two things: first, how well he performed. and the issues facing the lower middle order in India.
However, in some cases, the counterfactual only illustrates alternative ways to lose.
Rahul’s innings faced yet another middle-order masterclass on this particular day, another fairytale by another hitter with severe wounds from combat. Daryl Mitchell is likely thinking about his 101-ball 63 in the Champions Trophy final last year if Rahul can’t stop thinking about the 107-ball 66.
With two prior hundreds against India and a track record of disrupting their spinners, Mitchell was an important member of New Zealand’s team in that match. He had a variety of sweeps on both sides of the wicket and the ability to step out and loft down the field. The majority of skilled spin players are proficient in one of these two assault strategies; Mitchell, on the other hand, possesses both.
Mitchell only managed to score 52 off 96 balls and hit one four against India’s spin foursome because he was unable to overcome them.
For Rahul, Rajkot was more reminiscent of Ahmedabad 2023 than it was of Dubai 2025. First of all, New Zealand was pursuing. However, much as in Dubai, they required a swift leader who could shift pressure back to India. On a surface where the seamers were getting the ball to hold and keep a little low, New Zealand, chasing 285, were 46 for 2 in the 13th over and their needed rate was approaching close to 6.5.
Mitchell immediately brought a cold clarity. Reddy, the sixth bowler for India, hit him with a half-volley on the fifth delivery. However, the straight-bat punch he made over the long-on boundary boomed off his bat like a warning. I’m coming for you, and I’m here.
The pivotal match was always going to be Mitchell vs. India’s spinners, and he put pressure on Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as soon as possible. In addition to trying for runs, Kuldeep had one of his worst ODI nights, losing control of length and sometimes dropping short or providing width. Such mistakes are forced, not just the result of a bowler of his calibre.
Despite the outcome, this might have been Rahul’s match, and in certain respects it was. At last, it was undoubtedly Mitchell’s match. In Rajkot, counterfactual faced counterfactual, and only one could prevail that day.