New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner has been facing criticism for his tactical calls in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against India. India’s legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble believes Santner should have continued with off-spinner Glenn Phillips against a struggling Abhishek Sharma. Almost all teams, used off-spin to counter Abhishek and mostly succeeded as well. However, Santner took Phillips off the attack after just one over to get a pacer to bowl at him. Kumble feels that Santner was overthinking a bit in the powerplay overs.
"He [Phillips] should have followed up because even Matt Henry bowled a good first over," Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo. "He got hit for a six, but then Glenn Phillips followed it up with a nice over. And then suddenly, Mitch Santner thought that he needs to get Duffy in, [Lockie] Ferguson in. So, there were four bowlers in that powerplay, which was, I thought, a bit slightly, a bit of overthinking there.
“You expect the offspinner to bowl at Abhishek Sharma. Fourth over, when the bowler [Ferguson] had to start, Abhishek Sharma was on strike. So, he could have, again, bowled Glenn Phillips.”
Faf defends Santner’s on-field call, slams selection
Meanwhile, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis defended Santner’s call to take off Phillips. But, he criticised Santner’s selection call of bringing in Jacob Duffy in place of Cole McConchie who struck twice in his first over against South Africa, dismissing left-handed batters Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. The experienced T20 campaigner believes New Zealand played into Abhishek’s hands after he negotiated a few deliveries from part-time off-spinner Phillips.
"What Mitch Santner is thinking there is, there is the offspin match-up, so we have to try it. But it's a part-time offspinner, so I'm not sure what he's going to do in his second over when both batters are set," du Plessis said. "Which brings me back to the conversation, McConchie being a weapon against the left-handers in the powerplay. Proven and tested against South Africa, got two massive wickets, and he also stopped the powerplay.
"Now, Abhishek has faced two or three balls against the offspinner. And then it seamed from both ends, which is exactly, if you ask him what he wants, he got that today."
Phillips underutilised, Duffy punished, Abhishek roars in final
Phillips did not bowl another over in the innings. Meanwhile, Duffy was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 42 runs from three overs. Opener Abhishek went on to score 52 runs from 21 balls, helping India get off to a blazing start in the powerplay overs.