Mitchell Santner Commends Bowling Performance After Close ODI Match

In a recent ODI match, New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner praised the bowling efforts from both teams after a narrow defeat to India. The match, affected by rain, saw India winning by four runs via the DLS method. Santner reflected on the challenges posed by the pitch and the impressive bowling from both sides. He also provided an update on pacer Blair Tickner, who was substituted due to a concussion. With India leading the series 2-0, Santner's insights shed light on the competitive nature of the match and the strategies employed by both teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 7, 2026, 17:17 IST

Santner Acknowledges Bowling Strengths After Challenging Wellington Match

After New Zealand's defeat to India in the second ODI, captain Mitchell Santner praised the bowling efforts from both teams on a pitch that favored bowlers. India successfully chased down a target of 143 runs, largely thanks to Virat Kohli's impressive 74 runs in the first ODI. The second match saw rain play a crucial role, with India clinching victory by just four runs using the DLS method. The New Zealand batting lineup struggled against the pressure applied by Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, and Anshul Kamboj, while India also encountered challenges from Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson.

In the post-match presentation, Santner remarked, "The wicket posed significant challenges for seamers. Axar bowled well, and the Indian fast bowlers also performed admirably. We anticipated a tough batting surface, and while we could have aimed for a score between 160 and 180, the Indian bowlers executed their plans effectively, especially given the weather conditions."

Blair Tickner's Condition and Bowling Insights

Regarding pacer Blair Tickner, who was substituted by Matthew Fisher due to a concussion from a helmet impact while batting, Santner stated, "He is currently resting at the hotel, and we hope he recovers well. Given his recent concussion, we want to ensure he takes the necessary time to heal."

Santner further analyzed the pitch and the bowling performances, saying, "It was indeed a challenging wicket. India bowled exceptionally well, particularly at the beginning, which put us in a difficult position. Although we were slightly behind at the halfway mark, we recognized that there was still potential in the pitch, which was encouraging. The bowlers executed their roles effectively."

Insights on the Bowling Strategy

Reflecting on the bowling strategy, Santner noted, "As we mentioned at Eden Park, it would have been easy to expect results without effort. However, we bowled effectively from the start. To chase down the target, taking early wickets was crucial, and we managed to achieve that. The bowlers consistently delivered breakthroughs, which is vital in ODI cricket."

Brar led the Indian bowling attack with figures of 4/30, helping to dismiss New Zealand for a mere 134 runs in 41 overs. Daryl Mitchell fought valiantly with 55 runs off 104 balls, supported by Santner, who scored 31 runs off 38 balls. In response, India faced early setbacks, finding themselves at 47/4, with key players like Shubman Gill (0), Rohit Sharma (23), and Virat Kohli (7) failing to contribute significantly. Shreyas Iyer (30 runs off 46 balls) and KL Rahul (26* runs off 38 balls) steadied the innings, but the Kiwis' Duffy and Jamieson (both with 3/35) kept India under pressure at 113/7. Rain interrupted play, and India was ahead by four runs according to the DLS method, securing a crucial win to maintain their lead in the five-match series at 2-0.