DARY-ING MITCHELL

Batter braves heat, India tweakers to guide New Zealand to respectable score in last Test

- GOMESH S

DARYL Mitchell had just nudged R Ashwin behind square for a single at the Wankhede Stadium. It was an easy single on offer, and Mitchell, having already faced 90 balls on a hot Friday afternoon, slowly strutted and got to the other end. The New Zealand dressing room had their arms aloft clapping, while his batting partner Glenn Phillips called Mitchell back to the middle of the pitch to congratulate him.

Mitchell, who had just reached his 12th Test half-century, barely had it in him to walk all the way back. But he did; they shared a handshake before he got back to the non-striker's end. In the scheme of things, it was a crucial knock as New Zealand were 182/5 in the 52nd over. However, there was no raising of the bat or any celebration of sorts. That handshake was all Mitchell had the energy for.