Daryl Mitchell

Son of former New Zealand rugby coach John Mitchell, Daryll is an all-rounder who bowls medium pace. Having made his First-class debut in the 2011-12 season, it didn't take long for the Northern Districts man to make an impression across formats. His adaptability has been the key factor in his success. Growing up in a sports background helped Daryl to hone in the discipline from the formative years and he credits his dad for the same.

Predominantly a middle order batsman, Mitchell's game revolves around a solid base that expands with the repertoire of strokes as his innings builds. His bowling may not be his biggest strength, but he's had the knack of picking up wickets with a mix of slower ball variations. The 2018-19 season seemed to be a breakthrough phase for him as consistent performances in the domestic circuit, especially in the Super Smash earned him his maiden national call up during the home T20Is against India in February 2019.

He also played a vital part in helping New Zealand reach the finals of the T20 World Cup 2021. Mitchell was promoted to open the batting along with Guptill during that tournament and the all-rounder didn't disappoint. He compiled 208 runs from 7 games, striking at 140.54 with a healthy average of 34.67.

Mitchell loves pace and bounce on the ball and his experience of playing in Perth during his early days helped him a great deal in facing bouncers at will. Having played plenty of T20 leagues across the world coupled with consistency, Mitchell cemented the batting all-rounder spot and continues to be a regular feature for New Zealand since 2021.

One of Mitchell’s finest hours as a red ball cricketer came in 2022 on New Zealand’s tour of England. He scored 538 runs at an average of 107.6, but New Zealand were blown away by England’s Bazball revolution as the hosts triumphed 3-0. A year later, Mitchell was one of the star performers for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup. He scored a superb century in the semi-final, nearly taking the game away from India.

Apart from his contributions for New Zealand, Mitchell has also been a regular in franchise tournaments. He has played for the London Spirit in the Hundred, and was also picked by Chennai Super Kings for the 2024 IPL.