Mitchell Santner Discusses New Zealand's Edge Over India Ahead of T20I Series
Santner's Insights on Upcoming T20I Series
Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], January 20: Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand's T20I squad, expressed that their recent victories against India in various formats provide a competitive advantage as they prepare for the five-match T20I series starting Wednesday in Nagpur.
New Zealand enters this T20I series following a commendable 2-1 series triumph over Shubman Gill's Indian team in a three-match ODI series. Under the leadership of Michael Bracewell, the Kiwis showcased remarkable resilience to secure the series against a formidable Indian side featuring ODI stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Despite the absence of key players like Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, and Matt Henry, New Zealand achieved their first ODI series win on Indian soil.
Additionally, New Zealand previously accomplished a historic 3-0 clean sweep in a Test series against India in 2024.
During a pre-match press conference in Nagpur, Santner highlighted the team's enjoyment of playing in India and acknowledged that their recent successes bolster their confidence. He emphasized that this series serves not only as a chance to win but also as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, allowing them to compete against a strong team in similar conditions.
“It certainly gives us an advantage. We relish playing India and in India. Our recent successes across formats have been encouraging. Our primary goal is to win the series, but we also aim to prepare effectively for the T20 World Cup 2026. Competing against a strong team in conditions similar to those we will face in the World Cup is invaluable,” Santner remarked.
Notably, Santner had a standout performance against India during the group stage of the 2016 T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory by 47 runs in a low-scoring match.
Reflecting on that memorable match, Santner described it as a significant moment from his first tour of India, praising the enthusiastic crowds and the support from fans, which makes touring India a cherished experience for players.
“I hope the atmosphere is similar to what it was a decade ago, but I can’t be certain. Those were great memories from my first trip to India. Playing in front of 50,000 fans during the World Cup was incredible. Each time we return, the experience is just as thrilling. The fans are fantastic, and performing in front of such large crowds is what we live for. I expect the pitch will be favorable for our match tomorrow,” he added.
New Zealand has a history of challenging India successfully in both ICC tournaments and bilateral series. Santner attributed their success to the experience gained from frequent tours, which helps them quickly adapt to Indian conditions and various pitches.
However, he acknowledged that while their recent ODI results were promising, the T20 series presents a new challenge against a different Indian lineup.
“It’s likely a mix of factors. Each visit to India enhances our experience against a strong team across formats. The conditions differ from what we encounter back home. Most players who have been here before understand what to expect. Teams that can quickly adapt to the conditions and pitches tend to perform well. Our repeated visits to India have been beneficial, and while we’ve had recent success, we know it’s a fresh start now. The ODIs were a great result, but the T20 series is a different ball game against a different team,” Santner concluded during the press conference.