New Zealand’s white-ball captain Mitchell Santner is not part of the three-ODI series against India. Instead, Santner is preparing for the five-T20I series and the T20 World Cup 2026 by playing in New Zealand’s premier T20 competition, Super Smash. On January 11, Santner returned to action and led Northern Knights in the clash against Wellington.
Santner bowled his quota of four overs and claimed the wicket of Wellington captain Tom Blundell who scored 73 runs from 41 balls. The left-arm spinner broke the partnership in the 15th over. When Blundell departed, Wellington were 144/2. In last 33 balls, they managed to score 41 runs and lost five more wickets.
Tim Robinson is part of the five-T20I series against India but got dropped from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Robinson scored 65 runs from 47 balls and lost his wicket to Brett Hampton. The Wellington side also featured Rachin Ravindra who contributed with a 12-ball 19 cameo. For Northern Knights, pacer Scott Kuggeleijn was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets.
Openers make run chase easy
In the run chase, Katene D Clarke and Hampton shared a 121-run opening partnership from just 52 balls. In the ninth over, Ben Sears dismissed Clarke who scored 54 runs from 27 balls. At no.3, skipper Santner walked out to bat. In the 11th over, Sears struck twice to dismiss Hampton and Ben Pomare. Hampton hit six sixes and five fours in his 31-ball 65.
Santner couldn't made an impact and got bowled for an 11-ball 12 by Yahya Zeb. Xavier Bell and Kuggeleijn finished the run chase in the 17th over. Bell scored 22 runs from 21 balls. Kuggeleijn hit three fours in his seven-ball 15 as Northern Knights won the match by six wickets with 22 balls to spare.
Santner’s experience at no.3
In T20Is, Santner has batted at no.3 four times. His T20I best of unbeaten 77 came at this position as well. He registered the half-century against Netherlands in 2022.
When will IND vs NZ T20I series begin?
The five-T20I series will begin on January 21 at Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.