Four years ago, Daryl Mitchell was watching the World Cup Final unfold from home as New Zealand lost the Finals by the barest of margins. At 28, he was three T20Is old and was a family man. Four years later Daryl Mitchell is now a hundred internationals old and has come to India as one of their best players.

He has become the first name on the team sheet with what he offers and has gone through a dream run in the last few years. From carrying New Zealand’s batting against England back in 2022 during a three-Test series to ensuring New Zealand gets something presentable in the T20 World Cup Semis against Pakistan, Daryl Mitchell has stood up when it matters the most.

He has nine hundreds to add to his name and has shown incredible flexibility batting up and down the order. His contributions though do not stop with the ball. Although not a wicket-taker, Daryl Mitchell has the ability to chip in with few overs and can be pretty handy in the middle overs. Last time, New Zealand had Colin De Grandhomme who could hit down the order and provide some overs with the ball that would annoy batters due to his low pace and accuracy. Now, Daryl Mitchell, an arguably better batter is likely to fill in that spot.

Starting as a late bloomer, Daryl Mitchell is doing his best to prove he is New Zealand’s version of Mike Hussey or a Misbah Ul Haq. A chance though could have come over a decade ago. He was in the squad for some subcontinent tours but struggles against spin on A tours prevented him from making the final cut back in 2013-2014.

His turning point came in 2018 with a really good domestic season. In early 2019 he got his first call-up in a T20 series against India. He didn’t impress enough but was good enough to prove he had the ability. An injury to Colin De Grandhomme helped him find a spot in the Test side later in the year. With good numbers across formats, he found himself in the side as an opener for the T20 World Cup.

The tournament turned out to be the turning point for him. He was pretty consistent throughout but his 72 in the Semi-Finals against England is where he made his mark. From that moment on Daryl Mitchell has not turned back. He has come out as one of their most important players. His hundreds in each of the three Tests against England further established his ability. With traffic at the top though, Daryl Mitchell has moved back down the order and is showing that he can do the job nicely over there.

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He comes into the World Cup with three centuries in his last seven ODIs. Kane Williamson’s absence in the first game presents him with a chance at three as well. Against England in particular, Daryl Mitchell has a very scary record. He dominated in both Tests and T20s against them in the past. An ODI century against them earlier in the year will keep them watching him even more. With a fabulous record, he now awaits the opener as he waits to take on England.