Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner in the field during New Zealand’s T20 defeat to India in Wellington. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
As arguably the best finger spinner, if not spinner fullstop, operating in white-ball cricket, Santner\u2019s introduction came far too late to stop India\u2019s batters, after his charges had already been hit to all parts of Hnry Stadium.<\/p>\n
While it would be wrong to lay the blame for defeat at Santner\u2019s feet alone, his figures of 1-17 from three overs \u2013 one short of his full allotment \u2013 show he would have potentially been able to stem the tide at the very least.<\/p>\n
In all conditions around the world, Santner has consistently shown his worth as a white-ball spinner, with his ability to deceive batters with flight and changes of pace proving to be an even greater asset than how much spin he imparts on the ball.<\/p>\n
There is logic to Santner holding himself back. As a left-arm spinner, bowling to India\u2019s two left-handed openers would have turned the ball into the batters\u2019 hitting arcs, and allowed them to attack the square boundaries.<\/p>\n
But post-match, the captain explained that seeing the performance of India\u2019s attack in the first innings convinced him to back his quicks \u2013 all of whom went at more than 13 runs per over.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watched Axar [Patel] in the first innings, there wasn\u2019t a lot there,\u201d Santner told Sky Sport. \u201cThere was a bit of nibble there for the seamers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried [Michael] Bracewell to the two left-handers to start. They played that spin over in the power play very well. From there, it was just [about] trying to change it up to see what they can do. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to look at ways to try and stop them. We\u2019ve seen before, it\u2019s pretty tough to stop them. But we go to Eden Park where [the boundaries are] smaller all around.<\/p>\n
India’s Abishek Sharma celebrates scoring his century against the Black Caps in Wellington. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to try and find ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Black Caps aren\u2019t the first international side to be on the receiving end of India\u2019s raw power, nor will they be the last. With two matches still to be played in this series, and having not beaten India in a home T20 since 2019, there is also a chance this becomes the second whitewash inflicted on New Zealand on home soil, after 2020.<\/p>\n
But with pride on the line, there is still plenty to play for.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny time you play for your country is very special,\u201d said Daryl Mitchell post-match. \u201cGoing to Eden Park, it\u2019s a very proud sporting ground for us as New Zealanders \u2013 with the amount of great cricket games there and also the All Blacks have done alright there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll look forward to heading to Eden Park with a fern on our chest, and getting stuck in.\u201d<\/p>\n