Mitchell Santner claims 4/21 in a losing cause

Originally posted on Guerilla Cricket | By Aryan Surana | Last updated Oct 24, 2026 11:10 AM ET

“There was less dew tonight than there was the first game, I think, because the wind was up a little bit,” Santner said after the tight loss to India in the second T20I at Hagley Oval as India aced an equation of 69 runs from 31 balls with only four wickets in hand, making it back-toback successful pursuit in the five-match series that now stands at 0-2 in favour of the tourists.

“But I think it’s going to be a factor throughout the series. I guess with it being so late, we usually start at 7 o’clock. So by the second half, the ball seems to skid on a little bit better. It’s definitely a factor, I think, at the toss both teams in both games were looking to bowl first. And I guess two chases, even though tonight was a tight chase, it’s still two wins for the chasing team.”

4-21 off his four overs. That’s our skipper https://t.co/vi2jn2w92S

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 24, 2026

On the lack of resources during the defence, Santner said “Matt Henry experienced like a tight calf. So we didn’t want to risk it with I guess the amount of cricket we’ve got coming up as well. And I think Lockie (Ferguson) he went off as well. So just a couple of precautionary injuries. We’ll see how they pull up I guess tomorrow morning. I think with the quick turnaround of the series going into the one day, and into the Test as well, we don’t want to, I guess, risk too much. But hopefully they pull up fine because both good bowlers.”

The New Zealand talisman had a stellar outing, finishing with figures of 4/21 before the trio of Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir and Nitish Reddy scripted a turnaround to clinch the contest for India. Santner reserved praise for the half-centurion alongside whom he has been playing in the IPL for Mumbai Indians. “I guess when Tilak first started, he was batting three and it’s a slightly different role,” Santner observed. “So I guess the middle order role is very depending on how you operate in the middle and in the death phase. And I guess I’ve seen it for a couple of years now at Mumbai. He’s very good.”

“Same with Naman Dhir. I think the way he’s come in and looks so free from the start. I think Tilak took his time a little bit today, but managed the chase very well with Nitish Reddy at the end. So I think if you can finish off games as a finisher, you’re doing a pretty good job. I think it was a great knock from those last three, especially tonight.”

This article first appeared on Guerilla Cricket and was syndicated with permission.

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